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THE 


M U D E J . H I s T () T? Y. 


A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE 

Amerioa^t People; 

FOR SCHOOLS. 


By EDWARD TAYLOR, A. M. 



Nothing is really xvorth recording as final history except what promotes the 
permanent welfare of man.”—B arton. 


CHICAGO: 

GEORGE SHERWOOD & 00. 






COPYHIGHT, 1878, 

By George Sherwood & Co. 


PEEFACE. 


The author is aware that he is entering a field wliich has been dili¬ 
gently cultivated; and it is evident that if there be room for one 
more History of the United States for Schools, it must difier in char¬ 
acter from those now before the public. Several distinctive features 
are claimed for this work. 


» 

i 


c 


( 


I. The Chart of Events. To most minds the mastery of dates is 
drudgery, and in the average school few exercises are more barren 
and profitless. No claim of originality in the general plan of the 
Chart is made. A. S. Lyman, in his Chart of Universal History, used 
it thirty years ago. It has been found that the association of an event 
with its relative place in the stream of time, remains impressed on 
the mind long after the arbitrary memory of a date has passed away. 
It is a method approved by experience, and not a scheme dictated 
by the fancy. The maps give the location of every place mentioned 
in the text, except those in foreign countries. 

II. Colonial history is dwelt upon briefly, and much space is given 


^ to the period of nationality. The valuable lessons of American history 
are mostly to be found in our national, rather than provincial, life. 


III. It is specially adapted to collateral reading. For this pur¬ 
pose a list of authorities is given at the beginning of every period. 
The amount of advantageous supplementary reading, to give com¬ 
pleteness to the picture, is limited only by the time and inclination 
of the learner. 

IV. The illustrations have historical accuracy. Very few of our 
battle scenes and other sensational cuts can lay any claim to his¬ 
torical truth. In nearly every case they are “evolved from the 
consciousness” of imaginative artists, and reduce to mere pictorial 
efifect what might be made to yield trustwortliy and pleasurable 
information. 


( 3 ) 



4 


PREFACE. 


V. Its adaptation for securing definite results in recitation. 
Broad-faced type suggests to the eye the chief point of each para¬ 
graph, and fits the narrative to the topical method of recitation. Pro¬ 
vision is made for reviews. It is believed that the tables on contem¬ 
porary European history will throw much light upon the true 
significance of many American events. 

VI. It does not make a specialty of military details. It is not 
“ a drum and trumpet history.” Men are perceiving that war is a 
brutal, even if sometimes a necessary, method of adjusting national 
differences, and that that is a very barren national life which pro¬ 
duces nothing better than the repetition of military deeds. It is a 
growing opinion with teachers of the young, that it is lime some 
other history than military was taught in our schools. History is a 
much nobler thing than a mere record of bloodshed. “ War plays a 
small part in the real history of modern nations,” and in that of 
the United States it is smaller than in any other. It has been the 
design, therefore, without ignoring military history, to divest it of its 
details, and to present the salient features of the campaigns as the \ 
only thing the interests of the pupil demand. 

VII. More than usual space is given to political contests, inven¬ 
tion, education, industries, schemes for internal improvements, 
reforms, presidential issues, causes and results, progress of opinion, 
social, official, and domestic manners — in a word, the development 
of our national life. The paramount idea has been to show the 
learner the steps of progress by which we have become a great nation. 

The style is simple and concise, without ignoring the ordinary : 
graces of composition. The treatment of the various subjects will 
be found to be free from partisan bias on controverted* points in * 
politics, religion, and sectionalism. The narrative, it is thought, will 
be found to be full of facts and those the essential ones. 

I desire to make public acknowledgment of my obligations to i 
Prof. Leonard P. Parker, A.M., of the chair of History and Greek : 
in the State University of Iowa, for his careful and scholarly revision 
of the proofs. Prof. Miles Reece has rendered valuable assistance 
in the correction of clerical deficiencies and errors of taste and syntax. 

E. T. 


TABLE OF COXTEZN'TS. 


_ ^ PAGE 

Tabi.e of Periods,.6 

Chart op Events,.7 

PERIOD 1. 

I. Mound-Builders, Indians, and Northmen, - - 17 

Review,.22 

Contemporary Events in European History, - 23 

PERIOD II. 

I. Story of the Great Discovery, - - - - 25 

II. Exploration and Claims,.31 

Review,.36 

Contemporary Events in European History, - 36 

PERIOD III. 

I. Colonial Settlements,.39 

11. Colonial Progress, 63 

III. The French and Indian War,.74 

IV. The Interval, . . . . ... 82 

V. Causes of the Revolution,.95 

VI. The Revolution,.103 

Review,.108 

Contemporary Events in European History, - 111 

PERIOD IV. 

I. Independence and Revolution,.114 

II. Confederation and Union,.133 

III. Administration op Washington, .... 138 

% IV. Administration of John Adams, .... 150 

V. Administration of .Iefferson,.156 

L VI. Administration op Madison,.170 

^ VII. Administration op Monroe,.180 

VIII. Administration of J. Q. Adams, .... 190 

IX. Administration op Jackson,.198 

X. Administration of Van Buren, .... 207 

XL Administrations of Harrison and Tyler, - - 213 

XII. Administration of Polk,.223 

XIII. Administrations op Taylor and Fillmore, - - 231 

XIV. xVdministration of Pierce,.235 

XV. Administration of Buchanan,.240 

XVI. Administration of Lincoln,.248 

XVII. Administration of Johnson,.269 

XVIII. Administration of Grant,.274 

XIX. Administration of Hayes,.285 

Review,.292 

Contemporary Events in European History, - 297 

Historical Recreations,.300 

Pronouncing Vocabulary of Proper Names, - 304 

Tables,.307 

Declaration of Independence, - - - - 311 

Constitution of the United States, - - - 314 

15 ) 











6 


PERIODS OF AMERICAN HISTORY. 


PERIODS OF AMERICAN HISTORY. 

When we think upon the political condition of this 
country from the beginning, it will seem convenient and 
natural to consider its history as divided into four periods. 

I. The Aboriginal Period, extending to the discovery 
of the continent in 1492. 

II. The Period of Discovery and Exploration, ex¬ 
tending over 115 years, from the discovery of America in 
1492 to the founding of the first English colony in 1607. 

III. The Colonial Period, extending over 169 years, 
from the first English colony in 1607 to the Declaration of 
Independence in 1776. 

IV. The Period of Nationality, extending over 102 
years, from the Declaration in 1776 to the present time, 
1878. 


Historical Charts. 




EXPLANATION OF THE CHART. 

In most minds the faculty of abstract number is one of 
the least eflScient, and locality one of the most efficient, of 
the mental powers. Hence the use of maps and charts. 
In geography maps are 'indispensable. In this chart the 
same principle of bringing the eye to the aid of the mind, 
is applied to history in locating events. 

Time is represented as a stream, bearing events upon it, 
and flowing six inches each half century. It is recom¬ 
mended that the pupil thoroughly master the chart, and 
read the text in connection with it. It will be found that 
the varied facts of history will take their places in a pano¬ 
ramic view, giving a clear and lasting knowledge of the 
sequence of events and their bearing one upon another.' 
The history of our country becomes, not a mass of dim and 
detached facts, but a coherent biography of the nation. | 



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A BEIEF HISTOET 

OF 

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. 


PERIOD I. 


ABORIGINAL TIMES. 

TO THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 

1492 . 


[AUTHORITIES AND Reeerences.— Bancroft’s History of the States^; 

Graham’s History United States; Squier and Davis’s “Ancient Monuments; 
Baldwin’s “Ancient America;’’ Foster’s “Prehistoric Races of America; Jones s 
“Mound-Builders of Tennessee;” Schoolcraft’s “History 

Indian Tribes;” Anderson’s “Discovery of America by the Northmen ; Coope 
“Leatherstocking Tales;” Mathews’s “Behemoth a Le^nd of j 

ers;” Longfellow’s “Hiawatha;”, Whittier’s “Mogg Megone” and Bridal of 
Pennacook;” Lowell’s “Chippewa Legend.”] 


CHAPTER I. 

mound-builders, INDIANS, AND NORTHMEN. 

1. The first inhabitants of America are unknown. 
They were probably people from Asia. We do "ot know 
when, how, or why they came, though we can think o 
several ways by which they might have come. 

2 The Mound- Builders is the name given to a 
race long since passed away, that erected earthworks for 
defensive, religious, and funeral purposes in the Mississippi 
Valley, from the Lakes to the Gulf. The largest trees are 
found growing upon these mounds, and the Indians have 

( 17 ) 










18 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


no traditions of their origin. At Marietta, Ohio, is a mound 
bearing a tree eight hundred years old. These mounds 
consist of embankments, ditches, and heaps of earth, indi¬ 
cating considerable knowledge of military science. The 
embankments often have the outline of gigantic men and 
animals. It is saidthere are ten thousand of these works in 
Ohio alone. In Mexico and Peru are found still more 



HOPETON WORKS IN OHIO. 


wonderful remains. They consist of earthworks, ruined 
temples, idols, bridges, aqueducts, and paved roads. The 
Mound-Builders dwelt in cities, wove cotton, worked 
metals, and had regular trades and systematic govern¬ 
ments. 

3. The Indians followed the Mound - Builders as 
masters of the continent. We do not know why the latter 
left. They were probably enticed away by the more pleas¬ 
ant climate of the South, or were driven thither by the less 
civilized but more powerful tribes of the North. Having 
no written history, the Indians can give no reliable account 















MOUND BUILDERS, INDIANS, ETC. 10 

of tlieir origin and progress. They nearly all belonged to 
two great families, the Algonquins and the lro(piois. 

4. Til 2^^i*i^Oil the Indians were copper-colored, and 
had straight black hair and high cheek bones. They had 
no beard, and commonly cut off their hair except one lock 
called the “scalp-lock.” They were not equal to Euro- 
})eans in bodily strength, but they had wonderful endur¬ 
ance. They were very light of foot, and their best racers 
could run eighty miles a day. 



They used skins as clothing, which they prepared by 
smoking instead of tanning. When white men came they 
obtained blankets, which they decorated with feathers, 
3 beads, shells, and trinkets. In summer they wore but 
r little clothing, and the early settlers said it was hard to 
, fight with an Indian, because there was “ nothing to hold on 
s by except his hair, and not much of that.” 
g 5. Their domestic life was peculiar. The Indian 
it regarded all labor as degrading. He therefore compelled 






















20 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


his squaw to build the wigwam, cut the wood, and carry 
the burdens. While he was on the hunt or spending a 
lazy life in fishing, she cleared the bushes away, scratched 
the ground with a crooked stick, and cultivated the simple 
crop of corn and pumpkins with a hoe made of a clam¬ 
shell. 

The wigwams were made by fixing poles in the ground, 
bringing them together at the top, and covering them with * 
bark of trees or mats made of rushes. Mats on the earthen 
floor, or the skins of wild animals, formed their beds. The 
fire was kindled in the center, and the smoke escaped at 
the sides and top. 

The inmates had neither chair nor stool, but sat on the 
ground with their elbows on their knees. They had no 
domestic animals or beasts of burden. Their domestic 
utensils were of wood or stone, and fire was produced by 
continued friction. They made stone axes and arrow- | 
heads ; and these are often found in the ground to this ; 
day. Iron was unknown to them. Their most ingenious . 
inventions were the birch-canoe and the snow-shoe. The 
canoes were sometimes thirty feet long, and would carry | 
a dozen Indians. An Indian could travel forty miles a day ! 
upon snow-shoes, and could overtake the deer and moose, 
whose pointed hoofs cut through the snow. These shoes 
are still much used in Canada. 

6. The ed'lieatiOfl of the Indian consisted of muscular ' 
exercises, and such restraints as would accustom him to | 
endure hunger and fatigue. There were long fastings,, 
races on foot, trials of strength, and contests with the 
bow and arrow. It was a purely physical training. In ^ 
some tribes the youth were instructed by the old men in ^ 
the history and institutions of their people. They knew j 
nothing of the books, writing, and sciences of civilized life. | 

7. Their governmeifit consisted of a council of the ; 
chiefs and all those warriors who had killed an enemy in ^ 
battle. These, sitting in a half circle, deliberated with L 
great solemnity of manner on the making of peace or war, i 





MOUND BUILDERS, INDIANS, ETC. 


21 


the disposal of prisoners, and the management of the 
chase. The professed orators engaged in long debates^ 
and often the sound of true eloquence was heard. Treaties 
were ratified by smoking the pipe of peace, and records 
were kept by strings of sea-shells. 

8. War was thought to be a glorious occupation, and 
the tribes were nearly always engaged in it. The war- 
dance always preceded the opening of hostilities. A 
painted post was set in the ground, and the warriors 
formed a circle around it. The chief stepped into the 
open space, chanting the deeds of himself and his fathers, 
and striking the post as though it were an enemy. The 
warriors would follow, one by one, making the forest roar 
with their yells. This was always at night. In the morn¬ 
ing they laid aside their ornaments, and crept quietly 
through the forest to the place of attack. 

The expeditions were conducted by small parties whose 
. object was to surprise the enemy, kill as many as possible, 
i and return with their scalps. They made rapid advances 
' and retreats, covering their trail to deceive the enemy. 

' Their greatest warriors were incapable of any well-planned 
’ campaign or far-reaching policy, and their success was 

• mainly owing to their silent approaches, patient watchings, 

* and cunning stratagems. They thought it honorable to 
kill an unarmed enemy, and praised treachery and deceit. 
To fight a pitched battle was evidence of rashness or want 

I of skill. They were very brave, but saw no shame in run- 
ning away when there was no chance of success. 
ti| 9. The character of the Indian was a strange mixture 
l| of good and bad qualities. He was faithful in friendship, 
'I and strongly susceptible to kindness. But as an enemy he 
eJ was cruel and treacherous. “ The very words tomahawk, 
i' scalping-knife, and torture-scaffold fill the fancy with dire 
til images; and to say ‘as savage as an Iroquois warrior is 
i to exhaust the power of simile.” 

A The Indians had no forethought, and were satisfied if 
fa| they had plenty to-day, although starvation threatened them 




22 


THE MODEL HT8T0RT. 


to-morrow. They showed great firmness under torture, and 
thought it unmanly to manifest emotion or pain. They 
were usually without a sense of modesty, and followed 
the suggestions of the baser propensities. They had no 
delicate moral principle, and their religion was full of 
superstitious notions and without much spirituality 

10. The Xiopillation of the United States east of the 
Mississippi River, at the time of the earliest white settle¬ 
ments, did not exceed two hundred thousand. The Indians 
have probably never been a very numerous race, and when 
first visited by Europeans they were fast diminishing in 
number from war and disease. This decrease has continued 
since their contact with white men; and they will finally 
either embrace civilized life, to which they have always 
been opposed, or else disapj^ear from the earth. 

11. The NoethDiatf who dwelt in Sweden, Norway, 
and Iceland, claimed to have been the original discoverers 
of America. According to their tradition the continent 
was first seen about the year 1000 by one of their sea- 
kings, Erickson by name, whom a tempest had driven away 
from the coast of Greenland. They claimed to have made 
settlements on the Atlantic coast, and to have sailed south¬ 
ward as far as Florida. It is probable that these traditions 
are true; but no permanent settlement was made, the dis¬ 
covery was not considered of any importance, and was not 
known to the rest of Europe; the route was lost, and even 
the existence of the continent was forgotten. 


BE VIEW, 

The first inhabitants of America are unknown.—There are many 
remains of the Mound-Builders.— The Indians came next.— Their 
appearance. Tlieir domestic life.— Their two chiqjf inventions.— 
riieir education.—Their government.—Their opinion of war.—Their! 
manner of conducting campaigns.—Their character.—Indian popula- 
tion at the time of Columbus.—The Northmen. 




OONTEMPORAR Y E VENT8. 


23 


TABLE OF CONTEMPORARY EVENTS IN 
EUROPEAN HISTORY. 

The five hundred years immediately preceding the dis¬ 
covery of America are known in history as the Middle 
Aijes. It was a period in which the religious unity of 
Europe produced the great tidal waves of the Crusades. 
Peter, the hermit of Picardy, kindled a flame of military and 
religious zeal which burned two hundred years throughout 
the continent. Later than this, old institutions gave way 
before new opinions, the feudal system vanished, and 
tendencies which had long lain in the germ sprung forth 
into activity. The art of printing came to diffuse a general 
enlightenment, and the revival of ancient learning greatly 
stimulated European genius. The discovery of a continent 
hitherto unknown, gave a new direction and opened a new 
Held of unlimited scope to the activities of the age. 

During all this time America, as we have seen, was a 
wilderness inhabited only by the vanishing Mound Builders, 
and roamed over by wild Indian tribes. The continent 
was reserved for the future, and was yet in its pre-historic 
period. 

1000. The French language began to be written. Manu¬ 

facture of paper from rags introduced into Europe 
by the Arabs. 

1001. Erickson, the Icelander, reached Labrador and ex- 

plored the coast as far as Rhode Island. 
il025. The Musical Scale invented by Guido Aretino, an 
Italian. 

1066. William the Conqueror, a Norman, ascended the 
English throne. 

1095. Peter the Hermit preached the first Crusade. 

1120. Scholastic Philosophy attained its highest point by 
the teachings of Peter Abelard, of France. 

1137. The Pandects (the collection of Roman laws made by 
) order of Justinian) discovered at Amalfi. It 



24 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


became the foundation of modern law in all civil¬ 
ized nations. 

1204. The Spanish Inquisition established. 

1215. The Magna Charta, which secured important rights 
to Englishmen. 

1260. Glass mirrors, magnifying glasses, and spectacles 
invented. 

1272. The last of the Crusades. 

1302. The Mariner’s Compass introduced into Europe. 

1307. Founding of the Swiss Cantons. 

1347. A company of Norsemen in America. 

1356. Mandeville wrote the first English book. 

1441. Death of John VanEyck, the inventor of oil-painting. 

1450. Printing by movable types invented in Germany by, 
Guttenberg. i: 

1479. The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella united the 
kingdoms of Castile and Arragon. | 

I 







PERIOD II. 


DISCOVERIES AXD EXPLORATIOXS. 

FROM THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA TO THE FOUNDING 
OF THE FIRST ENGLISH COLONY. 

1492-1607. 


[AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES.— Bancroft’s and Grahame’s Histories United 
States.—Park man’s “ Pioneers of France in the New World.”—Irving’s “ Life of Col¬ 
umbus.”—Parkman’s “Discovery of the Great West.”—Hakluyt’s “ Voyages touch¬ 
ing the Discovery of America.”—Simms’s “Damsel of Darien” (Balboa), “ Vascon- 
selos” (De Soto) and “The Lily and the Totem.”] 


CHAPTER T. 

STORY OF THE GREAT DrSCOVERY. 

1. M^odern Sistory begins with the year 1500. Tt 
was a time of great changes in Europe. Modern civiliza¬ 
tion was just beginning its development. The darkness of 
the Middle Ages was passing away, and the Revival of 
Learning was about to free the human mind from the 
ignorance of the times. The art of printing had just been 
discovered, and the Protestant Reformation was about to 
break up the feudal and religious systems of Europe. 

2. The Discovery of America occurred at this 
time. A new field for adventure and colonization was thus 

i opened to the restless spirits of the Old World, who were 
ready to occupy it. 

3. The 7}iap of the world at that time was exceed¬ 
ingly imperfect. Only a portion of the African coast had 

I been explored; Asia and northern Europe had no well 
defined limits; and America and Australia were unknown. 

2 26 






26 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Mariners did not venture far from land, and the unexplored 
regions were supposed by the superstitious sailors to abound 
in whirlpools, headless men, horrible serpents, hippogriffs, 
and other monsters. 

The vessels were small and clumsily constructed, and, 
as they sailed for trade and not for exploration, they coasted 
timidly along the shore. But little interest was taken in 
geographical discovery. 



THB WORLD AS KNOWN BEFORE COLUMBUS. 


4. The shape of the eavth was not known by most 
persons to be round. They thought it was a flat surface j 
with the ocean lying like a great river around it. They 1 , 
did not think to ask what was beyond. But a few scientific 
and thoughtful men believed the earth to be a sphere, andj 
two or three ventured the opinion that Asia could be | 
reached by sailing westward. The wildest speculation 
never dreamed that between the western coast of Europe 
and the eastern shore of x\sia there was a mighty continent 















tbe great discovert. 


27 


three thousand miles wide and ten thousand long, and peo¬ 
pled by a new race of men. 

5. The spirit of exploration prevailed in western 
Europe. The monarchs of Portugal, avoiding the conflicts 
of states in European wars, chose the sea as the field of 
their enterprise. Under their patronage the vessels no 
longer coasted timidly along the shore but sailed abroad on 
the Atlantic. They discovered the Cape Verd islands and 
the more distant Azores, lying six hundred miles from the 
shore of the continent. These became waymarks on the 
ocean route to the New World. 

6. The great prohlem of the age^ during the latter 
half of the fifteenth century, was to find a nearer route to 
x\sia. Commerce with that country was carried on by way 
of tlie Red Sea, the Isthmus of Suez, and the Mediterranean 
Sea. Bartholomew Diaz and De Gama had not yet sailed 
around the Cape of Good Hope. India and China had long 
been celebrated for their wealth. Their silks and shawls, 
their spices and fragrant woods, their pearls and ivory, 
their diamonds and jewels, made them a wonder-land whose 
trade was very valuable to Europe. 

7. No sailor was brave enough to undertake the A.fri~ 
can route. That continent extended to an unknown dis¬ 
tance southward, and the fancy of the people filled the 
South Sea with numerous terrors, — pools of fire, boiling 
whirlpools, and man-eating monsters. 

8. Toscanelli was the name of an eminent geogra¬ 
pher living at Florence. He knew the earth was a sphere, 
and wrote a letter to Portugal recommending a voyage 
westward to reach Asia. 

9. As early as 1356 the English traveler. Sir John 
JSlandeville^ had declared in the first English book ever 
written, that when traveling northward he had seen the 
north star rise in the heavens, and that w^hen going south 
the antarctic constellations came into view. He said the 
earth was a sphere, and that it was possible and practicable 
for a sailor to reach Asia by a western voyage. 


^8 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


10. Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, 
had been a sailor from boyhood. During all his life he was 

either making voyages or 
else drawing charts. He 
was a man of originality 
and genius, and reflected 
much on the proposed route 
to Asiac The world was then 
thought to be only about 
eiffht thousand miles in cir- 
cumference. and Columbus 
saw that if this was correct, 
the distance westward to the 
shores of Asia could not ex¬ 
ceed four thousand miles. 
But for this lucky mistake 
Columbus would never have been the discoverer of America. 

The mariner’s compass, which was then in continual use, 
and the astrolobe, a rude kind of quadrant, were the instru¬ 
ments which made the navigation of pathless oceans pos¬ 
sible. Columbus therefore thought the voyage could be j 
made. He regarded himself as divinely chosen to open 
the new route to the opulent East, and to carry the bless- ; 
ings of Christianity to the people residing there. 

11. Some direct evidence, well as his theories, 
greatly interested him. His brother-in-law had seen a piece 
of strangely carved wood that had been washed on the shores 
of Portugal by a westerly storm. An old sailor had picked 
up the paddle of a canoe a thousand miles west of Europe. 
Strange plants, a canoe, and the bodies of two men very ^ 
different in appearance from Europeans, had been washed ^ 
from the westward to the shore of the Azores. These . 

j] 

things, together with an encouraging letter from Toscanelli, ' 
so far confirmed him that he resolved to act. 

jj 

12. Aid could only be obtained from the government. ^ 
Columbus was a poor man and had no ships of his own. 
He first tried his countrymen, the Genoese, then the repub- ^ 



COI.UMBUS. 




THE GREAT DISCOVERY. 


29 


lie of Venice, and then the king of Portugal. He next 
turned to Spain. He had now become so poor that he was 
obliged to beg bread for himself and his little son, and to 
borrow suitable clothes to wear in his interview with the 
king. Ferdinand was engaged in a great war, and had no 
time to listen to a poor sailor whom every one laughed at. 
The very children mocked him as he passed in the streets, 
and put their fingers to their heads in ridicule. But he 
watched and waited. 

13. Success came at last. Eighteen years had now 
passed since he conceived his great design, seven of which 
were spent waiting for the answer of Ferdinand. Sad¬ 
dened by his continual failures, he was leaving Spain, beg¬ 
ging a little food at convent doors, and resolving to apply 

to the king of France. At a 
lonely mountain pass he was 
overtaken by a messenger from 
the queen, Isabella, asking him 
to return to the capital. Urged 
by a desire to spread the Cath¬ 
olic faith throughout the world, 
and to see Spain the mistress of 
lands in Asia, the queen had 
changed her mind. To the cold 
objections of Ferdinand she 
nobly answered, “ I undertake 
the emerprise for my crown of 
Castile, and will pledge my 
jewels to raise the necessary 
funds.” Thus the perseverance of one man and the enter¬ 
prise of one woman triumphed over the ignorance and 
bigotry of the age. 

14. I^vepavations began at once. The sacrifices of 
Isabella were not required. By a draft on the treasury for 
twenty thousand dollars, equal to six times that amount at 
the present day, three small vessels were equipped, and a 
crew of ninety men secured. These men were compelled 



ISABELLA. 



30 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


to embark on the expedition. They were full of fear, and 
very few had any faith in the theories of their leader or 
shared in his enthusiasm. 

15. The voyage began Aug. 3, 1492, and the little 
fleet proceeded to the Canaries. On leaving them, Colum¬ 
bus sailed steadily westward for many days. The sailors 
became despairing and mutinous. The leader calmed their 
fears as well as he could, and exercised great patience with 
them. They even talked of throwing him overboard and 
returning to Spain. At length he promised them that if 
they did not see land within three days he would turn 
back. That very day the sailors were cheered by signs of 
approaching land. Flocks of land birds were seen over¬ 
head, singing their forest songs, sea weeds and tunny fish, 
seldom found far from shore, floated around the vessels ; a 
cane, freshly cut, and a branch of red berries, were picked 
up, and the water was growing shallower. On the third 
evening at ten o’clock a light was seen glimmering across 
the water. 

16. When the morning of Octohev 1402^ 

dawned upon Columbus and his fleet, land was before 
them. There were gay flowers, strange trees, and tropical 
fruits. The shore was lined with copper-colored people 
who looked with wonder at the Spanish ships. They 
believed the strangers had come down from Heaven. Col¬ 
umbus landed, carrying the standard of Spain, kissed the 
earth, and with appropriate religious ceremonies took pos¬ 
session of the land in the name of Ferdinand and Isabella. 

17. The land was found to be a small island, to 

which Columbus gave the name San Salvador,— the Span¬ 
ish words for Holy Saviour. It is now usually called Cat * 
Island. Columbus did not doubt that he had discovered 
one of the seven thousand four hundred and forty islands ; 
which Toscanelli had declared to lie in the ocean east i 
of Asia. As he supposed the people belonged to the; 
Indies, he called them Indians. | 


EXFLOliArWN AND CLAIMS. 


31 


18. Three other voyages were made by Colum¬ 
bus. In one of these he reached the mainland of South 
America. He never dreamed that he had discovered a 
new continent, and died supposing that he had opened the 
new route to Asia. His later years were saddened by per¬ 
secution and neglect, and his labors and character were 
not appreciated till subsequent times. 

19. The naming of the New World was an 
accident. An Italian merchant named Americus Ves- 
puccius visited the coast of Brazil, and wrote a fine 
description of the countries he had seen. These writings 
were eagerly read, and, being about the first published 
accounts of the new discoveries, a German geographer 
susfo-ested that the land be called “ Americi Terra,” or the 
land discovered by Americus. Vespuccius was the friend 
of Columbus, and is now thought to have been innocent of 
any design to rob him of his honors. He probably never 
knew that his name had been given to the new lands, 
and both he and Columbus were certainly dead before the 
name became in general use, or was applied to the entire 
country. 


CHAPTER II. 

EXPLORATION AND CLAIMS. 

20. To the West ! was the cry of European naviga¬ 
tors when Columbus brought the news of his discoveries. 
The new lands were represented as abounding in precious 
minerals, delicious fruits, and strange animals. Stories 
were told of diamonds as big as robin’s eggs, and of 
mountains where gems could be seen glittering among 
the rocks. It became at once the fashion to enter on 
western exploration. Those who went now were not 
unwilling seamen, but were mostly those adventurous men 
whom the peace at home had thrown out of their regular 




32 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


employment, warfare. They were animated by high hopes 
of wealth and fame. The era of exploration had come. 

21. The four powers which took an active part in 
exploring North America were Spain, England, France, 
and Holland. 


THE SPANISH. 

22. Under COltnnhus the Spaniards planted a colony 
in the West Indies, from which they sent out expeditions 
to the mainland. 

23. Under VespUCCittS they reached the eastern 
coast of South America. He first announced the fact that 
the new lands were not a part of India, but were in reality 
a new continent. 

24. They colonized Central America by an expedition 

under Salboa, and discovered the Pacific Ocean at the 
isthmus of Panama. The leader waded into the water, i 
drawing his sword after the pompous fashion of Spanish ! 
explorers, and declared that the ocean and all the lands j 
washed by it should be Spanish property forever. ! 

25. Under PoflCe de Leon they explored the coast I 

of Florida for many leagues. j 

26. They invaded and conquered, under CovteXf the | 

wealthy empire of Mexico. I 

27. They sent an expedition under Magellan around jl 
South America and across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, i 
This was the first circumnavigation of the globe. 

28. They explored the Pacific coast, under Cahvillo^ ; 
as far north as Oregon. 

29. They sent a finely equipped force of six hundred, 
under Pe Soto^ through the Southern States, and discov¬ 
ered the Mississippi River. This little army fought a i 
severe battle with the natives, endured incredible hard- li, 
ships, and buried their leader in the river they had dis¬ 
covered. 

30. They founded St, Augustlne, the oldest city 

in the United States. ' 




EXPLORATTON AND CLAIMS. 


33 


THE ENGLISH. 

31. The English became the earliest rivals of Spain in 
American exploration. John and Sebastian Cabot, 
father and son, sailed under a commission from the King. 
They explored the coast from Gulf St. Lawrence to Cape 
Hatteras. This was fourteen months before Columbus 
touched on the mainland of South America. North America, 
therefore, belonged to the English by what was called the 
right of discovery. 

32. Out of respect for a decree of the Pope of Rome, 
arbitrarily granting to Spain all the lands on the western 
shore of the Atlantic, the Catholic monarchs of England 
engaged no more in western exploration for three fourths 
of a century. Then ' 31 art in Frob ish ev obtained a 
commission, with the idea of reaching the Indies by sailing 
around America to the north. He attained a higher lati- 

. tude on the Atlantic coast than had ever been reached 
before. 

33. The great sea captain and piratical commander. 
Sir Francis Drake, explored the Pacific coast and 

, returned homeward by way of the Cape of Good Hope. 

1 34. Sir Walter Faleigh, a favorite at the court 

' of the English Queen, obtained a grant of a large body of 
I land and attempted colonization. 

I 35. The first expedition sent by him explored Roanoke 
I Island and the adjacent sounds, and gave so favorable an 
■ account of the country that Raleigh named it in honor of 
the Queen, Virginia. 

1 36. His second party made a settlement and were 

kindly received by the natives. But because a silver cup 
^ had been lost or stolen, the commander burned an Indian 
1 village and the corn of the inhabitants. Soon after, a party 
= of Englishmen, having met a chief and his associates in a 
council, fell upon them and put them to death. This was 
i not only a treacherous, but a very unwise act. The 
Indians withdrew their supplies, and the colonists, becom- 




34 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


ing dissatisfied, returned to England. They took with them 
three products of America,—corn, potatoes and tobacco. 

37. His third attempt was to found an agricultural 
colony in Virginia. He saw that he must send not advent¬ 
urers but families to America, who would make it their 
possession and home. The party founded the city of 
Raleigh, but failed in making a permanent settlement. 
Unlike their predecessors, they awaited death in the land 
of their adoption. “ If America had no English towns it 
soon had English graves.” Every member of the colony 
perished or was adopted by Indian tribes. 

THE FRENCH. 

38. The French navigators could not remain quietly at 
home with the glories of western exploration ringing in 
their ears. 

39. Under Vevvd^MIfli they explored the coast from 

Carolina to Nova Scotia. They supposed this land had | 
never been seen by white men, but we know that Cabot j 

had discovered it twenty-five years before. They named \ 

the country New France. Verrazzani wrote to the king of j 
France the earliest description of the Atlantic coast now | 
extant. J 

40. CctVtieVf in search of the Northern Passage, J 

explored the coast of Newfoundland and named the St. j 
Lawrence. ! 

41. Under JDe JYEontS they made good their claim to f 

Canada and the St. Lawrence by establishing a permanent 'j 
settlement at Port Royal, Nova Scotia. ^ 

42. Champlain founded the City of Quebec as a ' 

trading post. He has been termed the father of New 
France. ii 

THE DUTCH. [' 

43. The Dutch, still trying to find a Northwestern Pas- 
sage, made a single expedition under Senvy Hudson, | 
who discovered and explored the Hudson River, and trav- j 


EXPLORATION AND CLAIMS. 35 

ersed the coast northward to Hudson Bay. He named the 
country New Netherlands. 

44. The objects of these explorations were 
various. The Spaniards went for gold and precious 
stones; the Portuguese to capture Indians and reduce them 
to slavery; tlie French for the sake of fishing; and the 
English and Dutch to find a passage to India. Even the 
learned supposed for a long time that the new lands 
were a series of islands called “ Florida,” “ Hispaniola,” 
and “America.” The geographers thought China and 
.lapan lay just west of these islands, and they eagerly 
sought a passage thence. 

45. The (laims of fevHtovy resulting from these 
explorations were very conflicting. The Spaniards wished 
to own all the lands they had seen or sailed near. So did 
the English. So did the French. So did the Dutch. But 
none of^them were willing to stay there and keep posses¬ 
sion. Finally the Spanish made a beginning at St. Augus¬ 
tine, and the French at Port Royal. The right^ of 
discovery was then regarded as a just title to ownership ; 
and the conflicting claims led to endless trouble in after 
years, and finally brought on a contest of arms for the pos¬ 
session of the continent. 

46. The Spanish claimed nearly all of the United 
States under the name of Florida, and all the Pacific coast 
under the name of New Mexico. 

47. The English claimed the coast from Cape 
Fear to Halifax, and the territory west of it to the Pacific. 

48. The French claimed Canada and the whole 
of the Mississippi Valley. 

49. The Enteh claimed the territory between the 
Connecticut and Delaware Rivers. 

50. We shall now study the settlements made on this 
contested territory, the conflicts of authority, and the 
development of a great nation. 



36 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


EE VIE W. 

CHAPTER I. 

The beginning of modern liistoiy.— An incomplete map of the 
world.—Known to be a sphere but thought to be small.—The great 
problem.—Mandeville first suggests the idea.—Toscanelli confirms it. 

— Columbus resolves to prove it.—He finds much to confirm his 
theory.—And spends eighteen years searching for a patron. —He sails 
and finds land.—And makes three other voyages.—The new’ lands 
called America. 

CHAPTER II. 

The fever for western exploration.—Balboa sees the Pacific.—Ves- 
puccius visits Brazil.—Cortez in Mexico.—Magellan circumnavigates 
the globe.—Cabrillo first visits Oregon.—De Soto explores the South-. 
ern States.—The Cabots first explore the Atlantic coast.—Frobisher 
visits Labrador.—Drake explores the Pacific.—Raleigh makes three 
attempts to found a colony in Virginia.—Verrazzani visits New i 
France.—Cartier names the St. Lawrence.—De Monts plants a colony | 
at Port Royal.—Champlain founds Quebec.—Hudson discovers the 
Hudson River.—The object of the explorations.—The conflicting 
claims. 


TABLE OF CONTEMPORARY EVENTS IN 
. EUROPEAN HISTORY. 

1492-1607. 


Tills period in Europe was a tim e of StOVms, Strug¬ 
gles of vast power, religious, civil, and intellectual, shook 
the continent. It was the stormy dawn of Modern Times. 
The temporal powder of the Papacy was raised to the sum¬ 
mit of its authority by the conquests of warlike popes. The ] 
four great monarchies of England, France, Spain, and Ger¬ 
many, having recovered from feudal strifes, stood in solid 
form and power under rulers of surpassing ability. The 
wonderful awmkening of intelligence in the preceding 
period passed over into this to stir the mind of Europe in 
every class of society, and in every department of thought. 
The Protestant Reformation, at first a religious dispute, 
swept over the continent in a whirlwind of opinion, aiul 






CONTEMPORARY EVENTS. 


37 


soon absorbed within itself all other issues, political, social, 
and moral, of the age. 

A.l}ie)*ica^ as Ave have seen, became the theater upon 
which the active spirits of an adventurous age played their 
parts in quest of wealth, knowledge or dominion. 

1492. Ferdinand conquered the Moors, who for 800 years 
had held the fairest portions of Spain. 

1517. Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation by 
his opposition to papal indulgences. 

1520. Raphael and Michael Angelo flourished in Italy. 

1524. The Peasants’ War in Germany. The revolt sup¬ 
pressed with terrible slaughter. 

1529. The Reformers called Protestants because they 

tested against the decrees of the Diet of Spires. 

1530. The Augsburg Confession drawn up by Melancthon, 

and approved by Luther, as the creed of the Ger¬ 
man Protestants. 

1532. True theory of the solar system taught by Coper¬ 
nicus. 

1534. The order of Jesuits founded by Ignatius Loyola, 
with six other students of the University of Paris. 
1545. Flourishing period of the Dutch linen, and the 
Spanish silken and woolen, manufactures. 

1550. Era of the Puritans in England. Persecution of 
English Protestants. Ridley and Latimer burned 
at the stake. 

1555. The Revival of Learning promoted by the trans¬ 
lation and study of the Bible. 

1558. The first English newspaper (the English Mercury) 
by Lord Burleigh. 

1572. Massacre of St. Bartholomew, in which 70,000 French 
Protestants were murdered. 

1579. The East India Company established. 

1581. Independence of the Dutch Republic declared. 

1582. Reformation of the Calendar—called the New Style 

—introduced into Catholic countries by a papal 
decree, October 5 being reckoned October 15. 






38 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


1588. The “Invincible Armada” defeated in the English 
channel by Sir Francis Drake. 

1598. Edict of Nantes restored religious liberty to the 
Protestants of France. 

1600. During the latter half of the century Europe was 

scourged by desolating wars between the old 
Catholicism and the young Protestantism. 

1601. Great commercial companies incorporated for trading 

with, settling, and governing distant lands became 
very popular with the nations of western Europe. 
1605. Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot for blowing up the 
English Houses of Parliament. 




PERIOD ITT. 


COLONIAL TIMES. 

FROM THE FOUNDING OF THE FIRST ENGLISH COLONY 
TO THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

1GOT-177G 


[AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES. — Bancroft’s, Graham’s and Hildreth’s His¬ 
tories of United States.—Palfrey’s “New England.”—Upham’s “History of Witch¬ 
craft.”—Drake’s “ Indian Wars.”—Elliott’s “New England.”—Mather’s “ Magnalia.’’ 
—Sparks’ “American Biography,” — Jefferson’s “Notes on Virginia.” — Banvard’s 
“Plymouth and the Pilgrims.”—Parton’s “Franklin.”-Wirt’s “Patrick Henry.”— 
Longfellow’s “John Endicott,” “Giles Corey,” “Evangeline,” and “Courtship of 
Miles Standish.”—Mrs. Heman’s “Landing of the Pilgrims.”! 


CHAPTER 1. 

COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS. 

1. At the close of the former period the condition of 
A.nicvicil was nearly the same as when Columbus tound 
it. It was still almost an unbroken wilderness. The few 
settlements which had existed were of a commercial and 
transient character, and it had not yet entered the European 
mind that here was to be the seat of great states. But now 
I that gigantic commercial corporations had come into vogue, 
with powers of colonization and government, the work of 
j settlement was ready to begin. Ihe state-builders of the 
i new world were now to enter on their labors. 

I 2. April 109 I 6 OO 9 was an important day for the 
western continent. On that day the king of England issued 
two great patents to men of that country, authorizing them 
to possess and colonize most of that portion of North 
America lying between the thirty-fourth and forty-fifth 
degrees of latitude, and extending from ocean to ocean. 








40 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


3. Th e London Company was an association of 
nobles, gentlemen, and merchants residing in London. To 
it was granted the territory lying between the thirty-fourth 
and thirty-eighth degrees—from Cape Fear to the Potomac. 

4. The Plymouth Company was composed of 
corresponding classes at Plymouth, in the west of England. 

It received the exclusive right to plant colonies between 
the fortv-lirst and forty-fifth degrees—from New York City 
to Halifax. By this allotment a strip of land three degrees 
wide lay between the territories of the companies from 
which both were excluded. These grants led to the per¬ 
manent settlement of the country. 

5. By the terms of the patents the affairs of the 
companies were to be managed by a Superior Council 
residing in England, and an Inferior Council residing in 
the colony. The members of both Councils were appointed 
and dismissed at the pleasure of the king. All law-making 
authority was also finally vested in the monarch, and not a 
single principle of self-government was admitted. The 
companies were bound to pay to the king one fifth of all ' 
the gold and one fifteenth of all the silver found within the 
territory. The colonists were required to hold all property 
ill common for five years, and were to retain all the rights 
and privileges of Englishmen. 

VIRGINIA, 1607. 

6. The first settlement was made by order of the 
London Company. One hundred and five men without i 
families reached Chesapeake Bay and coasted along the 
southern shore till they came to the mouth of a broad and 
beautiful river. They proceeded up this stream about fifty 
miles, moored their vessels, and in the forest laid off a town. 
The stream was called James River, and the town James¬ 
town, in honor of their king. This was one hundred and ^ 
ten years after Cabot had sailed along that coast. This |i 
length of time had been required to plant English civili- ; 
zation among the forests of America. 



COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS. 


41 


7. The colonists were not the kind of men to found 
a new State. They were idle and wasteful. There were 
only twelve common laborers, six masons and blacksmiths, 
and four carpenters. There was a long list of forty-eight 
“ useless gentlemen,” and several pardoned criminals. 
They regarded themselves as mere sojourners, expecting 
to dig gold, trade with the Indians, get wealth, and return 
home. Being mere adventurers, they planted nothing the 

' first year, and the provisions they brought were soon con¬ 
sumed. By autumn, famine and the diseases of a hot, moist 
climate had swept away half their number. 

8. Captain John Smithy a very brave and able 
man was the president of the colony for several years. 
Though less than thirty years of age, his life was full of 
experience. Born in England; a soldier in Holland; a 
traveler in France, Italy, and Egypt; captured by the 
Turks and sold as a slave; sent to distant Tartary whence 
with an iron collar about his neck he escaped through the 
forests of Russia to Europe; thrown overboard at sea; 
he returned to England, restlessly joined the London Com¬ 
pany, and was now to rescue a colony from destruction. 
He was the most noted man of early times in America. 

9. His lahovs were incessant and generally success¬ 
ful. He cultivated the friendship of the Indians and tried 
to stimulate the indolent colonists. He spent the winters 
in exploring the shore and interior, and he made the first 

I accurate map of the coast. In these expeditions he had 
1 many adventures with the Indians. He was greatly cha¬ 
grined to find that in spite of his entreaties the company 
continued to send out gold-hunters, jewelers, engravers, 
adventurers, and “gentlemen,” instead of mechanics and 
1 laborers. 

10. The love of (fold was the impulse which drew 
these people to America. As soon as spring came they 
began to stroll over the country in search of it, and the 
industry which Smith encouraged was laughed at. When 
some glittering sand was discovered on the banks of the 





42 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 



SEAL OP VIRGINIA. 


river the whole colony began to glow with excitement. A 
ship was loaded with this “ fool’s gold ” and sent to Eng¬ 
land. Even the Indians laughed at men who would rather 
dig worthless sand than raise a crop of corn ! 

10. The growth of the colong was slow for many 

years. The reinforce¬ 
ments from England 
could do but little 
more than supply the 
loss from disease, fa¬ 
mine, and Indian mas¬ 
sacre. Two or three 
times the entire colony 

was on the point of abandoning Jamestown and returning 
to England. Twice they had already taken passage with 
this view, but luckily met new colonists, with provisions, 
who induced them to return. At the end of twelve years 
not one in twenty of all those who had lived in the colony 
was alive. 

11. After the gold fever had passed, the productions 
of the soil rapidly increased. Tobacco was now very popu¬ 
lar but very scarce in England, and the colonists engasred 
extensively in its cultivation. It became, and for many 
years remained, their principal article of export. With it 
they paid for the goods brought to them from England. 

1 he huge forests of \ irginia supplied large quantities of j 
lumber, which was very welcome in the mother country. 

“ One fir-tree will make the main mast for the greatest ship 
in England,” wrote a colonist to his relative. Tar and ' 
pitch, deer skins, beaver pelts, and salted fish were exported 
in considerable quantities. 


13. The want of laborers was severely felt for 
many a year. The Company induced many young men 
to join the colony who were to have a free passage, and 
food, clothing, and tools to work with, for one year. They 
were then to choose a master among the planters, whom they 
were to serve for seven years. They were called “ bound 




COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS. 


43 


servants.” This plan was not very successful. English¬ 
men did not like to deed away their freedom, and so the 
great want of the colony still continued. 

13. JUlach laborers were first introduced into the 
colony in 1620. A Dutch ship trading in the East Indies 
stopped at Jamestown, and sold the planters twenty negroes 
as servants for life. They made good field-hands, and their 
number rapidly increased. • The Council discouraged the 
importation of these people by placing a heavy tax on 
female slaves. But the demand for laborers was so press¬ 
ing that even criminals and felons were liberated from 
English prisons and sent to America that they might be of 
some use. Many of these convicts became honest men 
when they had a chance to begin a new life in the young 
colony. 

14. The presence of women was another want. 
Many of the young men were idle and unsettled and needed 
tidy wives to care for their homes. The Company, there¬ 
fore, sent over one hundred and fifty young women as wives 
for the unmarried men. We are told that they were “ maids 
of virtuous education, young, handsome and well recom¬ 
mended.” Whoever took a wife in this way must pay the 
expense of her ocean passage—usually one hundred pounds 
of tobacco. It must have been an amusing sight to see 
the bachelors choosing wives at Jamestown. The result 
was that homes increased, the plantations flourished, and 
the colonists lost all desire to return to England. 

15. A written constitution was soon given to 
the colony, which granted the privilege of electing a legis¬ 
lature, the right of petition, and of trial by jury. Power 
was given the legislature to veto any objectionable acts of 
the Company. Under this constitution the first legislative 
assembly of America met. Thus the people learned the 
important lessons of self-government. 

16. Two Indian massacres came near extermi¬ 
nating the growing colony. One day at noon the savages 
fell upon the settlements along the .James River through a 



44 


THE MODEL HISTORY, 


distance of one hundred and forty miles, and an indiscrimi¬ 
nate slaughter followed. Hundreds perished under their 
clubs and hatchets. The more distant plantations were 
entirely destroyed; but a friendly Indian having revealed 
the plot at Jamestown the night before, those settlements 
to which the news could be carried by the fleetest horses, 
prepared for the attack and were saved. 

17. The laws of the colony were very strange and 
very severe, especially on religious matters. At one time 
it was the law that if a man was absent from church, with¬ 
out a good reason, even for a single Sunday, he must be on 
half allowance of food for one week; if he olfended a sec¬ 
ond time, he must be whipped; if a third time, he was to 
suffer death. A woman who was an habitual scold mio-ht 
be “ ducked ” three times in running water. The usual 
punishments were whipping, sitting in the stocks, and 
standing at the church door with the names of their crimes 
pinned to their breasts. The Roman Catholics and the 
quiet Quakers were severely punished if they came into 
the colony. All these things were quite common in that 


period. 


MASSACHUSETTS, 1630. 

18. The second colony was planted within the 



1 IT, Amiyiisorne 

who had been residing in Holland, where they had gone t 
obtain religious freedom, which had been denied them i 
itngland. 



territory of the Plv- 
mouth Company, ^ 
though without its 
knowledge or con- ■ 
sent, on the coast 
of Massachusetts, at’"' 
Plymouth, by a com- 
pany of Englishmen 
sre they had gone to*'" 
een denied them in ^ 
til 

uritans^ and are 
Fathers. Their 






COLONrAL SETTLEMENTS. 


45 


clothes were plain in color and cut. They were also called 
in derision “Roundheads.” They were slow to quarrel, 
and never swore as was then the wicked fashion. They 
spoke slowly, discouraged mirth, and took life in solemn 
earnest. One hundred and two of these people came in a 
single ship, the Mayflower. They landed on a frozen coast 
in the middle of winter, and began to build houses, divid¬ 
ing themselves into nineteen families. Their sufterings 
were very great, and the first winter swept away half their 
number. Occasionally a ship arrived from England, bring¬ 
ing them articles of comfort and luxury. After some years 
their exports of dried fish, furs, and lumber, brought them 
whatever civilized life required. 

20. A few years afterward cm other company of Puri¬ 
tans arrived from England. They made what they called 
a “ short and speedy ” voyage of forty-five days, and settled 
on the coast of Massachusetts at Salem. They came in 
summer and saw the shore in its floral beauty. Soon after, 
three hundred of the best Puritan families in England 
came over in seventeen ships. They were not adventurers 
and vagabonds, but educated, enterprising, and virtuous 
people, who came to secure religious freedom, and with no 
expectation of returning. Their first governor was a noble 
man, John Winthrop. 

21. Their sufferinys were scarcely inferior to 
those of their neighbors at Plymouth. It was the same 
old story of famine, disease, and suffering from cold. 
Many of the settlers had been delicately nurtured in their 
old homes, and could not endure the wintry blasts. “ Sleet 
and snow drifted through the cracks of their board huts 
where enfeebled men and delicate women moaned out their 
lives.” Before Christmas two hundred had perished ; but 
there was no complaint nor despair. 

22. The Inclians gave them no trouble, though for 
a time the colonists were in great fear. One day an Indian 
came to the settlement, and, holding out his hands, ex 
claimed, “ Welcome, Englishmen ! welcome, Englishmen !” 



46 


THE MODEL HI STOUT. 


A solemn treaty of friendship was made with them, which 
was faithfully kept for fifty years. This was the first dis¬ 
play of justice and humanity toward the Indians made by 
any of the Europeans appearing on the American con¬ 
tinent. 

23. The goverfi^neifit of the colony at first was 

democratic. The people elected their own officers, and a 
legislative body chosen by them made the laws. But after 
some years the right of suffrage was much restricted, and 
only church members could vote at the colonial elections. 
Thus a minority of one fourth made laws for a majority of 
three fourths. None but members of the church were 
eligible to offices of trust; taxes were levied for the sup- ; 
port of the ministers of the gospel ; and attendance on j 
public worship and oaths of obedience to the magistrates 
were required by law. ' 

24. During whole generations religious matters \ 
were subjects of public and private discussion. In Eng- I 
land at that time religious intolerance was common. An ! 
established church was thought to be a powerful thing in a t 
State, and difference of belief in religion a very great dan- i 
ger. The Puritans, therefore, having secured liberty off 
conscience for themselves, did not mean to give it to anv f' 
one else, and kept strict watch that no one spoke disre- ■ 
spectfully of the church or disputed any of its doctrines. | 
If any one thus transgressed he was arrested and admon- P 
ished. If he did it a second time, he was banished from ' 
the colony. 

25. The first man to speak against these practices, and 

in favor of religious freedom, was Roger Williams^ a 
learned and very promising young minister of Salem. He 
taught his congregation that a magistrate had nothing to 1^ 
do with the consciences of the people, and that they should f 
rule only in civil cases, as the collection of taxes, the sup- 
port of equal rights, and the repression of crime. ‘^i 

He wrote a paper, declaring that the lands belonged to 
the Indians, and that the king of England had no right to ^ 



COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS. 


47 


give them away without buying them. He also said that 
compulsory attendance of church service and forced taxation 
for the support of the ministry, were contrary to the gospel. 

26. There was much excitement, and his arrest soon 
followed. Governor Winthrop, who was a very gentle 
Puritan, entreated him to desist. But Williams said he 
came to America to secure liberty of conscience, that every 
one else had the same right as himself, and that he must 
declare what he believed to be true. 

He was condemned, and became an exile in the wild 
forest in the middle of winter, traveling through the snow 
for fourteen weeks, sleeping on the ground and in hollow 
logs, and living on parched corn and acorns. He made his 
way southward, and lived among the hospitable Indians. 
We shall hear of him again. 

27. Soon after this a noted preacher named ^'i'tne 
H'HtcJl'bTtsO'i'h^ a clear-headed and powerful reasoner, 
desired the privilege of speaking in the weekly debates. 
The elders refused her, and said that women had no busi¬ 
ness in such assemblies. 

She declared that ministers who deprived women of the 
gospel were Pharisees. She called meetings at her own 
house and elsewhere, spoke much in public, declared that 
every person has a right to interpret the Scriptures for 
himself, and argued with great fervor for full freedom of 
conscience. 

The eloquence and ability of her argument gained manv 
adherents. But she was declared unfit for the society of 
Christian people, and was banished from Massachusetts. 
With a company of her friends she joined the apostle of 
freedom, Roger Williams. 

28. The persecution of the Quakers was another 
event of interest in the history of this religious common¬ 
wealth. When these good, but sometimes rather imprudent 
people came, there was a cry of alarm. Two women were 
searched for marks of witchcraft, their books were burned, 
and they were thrown into prison. 



48 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Soon after, eight others were banished, and a law was 
passed excluding Quakers from the colony. For the first 
violation the penalty was whipping, the loss of one ear, and 
banishment; for the second, the loss of the other ear; for 
the third, the tongue was to be bored through with a red- 
hot iron, and the victim hung. 

Under this law, four Quakers, who came to preach against 
persecution, gave up their lives, and many others suffered 
banishment. But this savage intolerance was of short 
duration. The law was repealed, and the prisons were 
opened. It has always been thought strange that a people 
who fled to America to secure freedom in religious belief, 
should thus begin their career by intolerance and persecu¬ 
tion. 

But we should remember that the history of those times 
in Europe is full of wrong and violence, and that charity 
was not a popular grace. Since the colony was more of a 
religious than civil organization, heresy was considered worse 
than treason. We should be glad we live in better days. 

29. At the end of about half a century Kifig I^JliUp^S 
Wav broke out, and peace with the Inaians was at an 
end. They saw in the increase of pale-faces the doom of 
their race. A new generation had come forward who 
longed for the hunting grounds of their fathers, and could 
not understand why the white men should possess them. 
The game was falling before the rifles of the strangers, 
and the fish was scooped from the rivers by English nets. 

Soon blood was shed on both sides, and the Indian chief j 
King Philip regretfully prepared for war. The contest i 
lasted over a year, and was full of terror and blood. Nearly 
all the frontier settlements of New England were attacked 
and burned, and the inhabitants sank under the vengeful 
tomahawk. , 

30. The principal battle was called th e Swamp ' 
Fight, The Indians collected all their warriors to the 
number of three thousand, with all their possessions, in a 
deep swamp, which they carefully fortified. 




OOLOXIAL SETTLEMENTS. 


49 


In this, as in nearly all the previous eiigaireiiieiits, victory 
was witli the colonists. A thousand warriors were killed 
and hundreds captured. The wounded and the old men 
woineii and children, with all their goods, were consumed 
in the names. The result of this contest was the suhiuo-a- 
tioii of the Indians of New England. ^ 

31. ^ But the darkest days were those of Salem Wiich- 
CVaft, a remarkable delusion which sjiread throuo-h the 
colony. It was believe.l that the devil appeared to some 
people 111 the form of a black cat, and persuaded them to 
enter his service, and write their names in his big red 
book. Such persons had power to bewitch and injure 
others by magic arts. 

Ihis belie! was then common in many civilized countries, 
and even among the learned. At Salem it prevailed like 
a panic. The wildest tales were believed. To express 
doubt in witchcraft was proof of being a witch. If the 
accused persons confessed that they were witches they were 
pardoned, but if they would not tell a lie even to save their 
lives, they were tortured and hanged. 

Persons of the highest respectability, clergymen, magis¬ 
trates, and the wife of the governor, were accused. One 
child, only five years old, lay chained in Salem jail awaiting 
trial. An old man, Giles Corey, was slowly pressed to death 
by heavy stones placed on his chest. 

32. In about six months a veaetioti of Opbiuni 
took place, but not till fifty-five persons had been tortured 
into confession; not till two hundred had lain chained in 

I prison; not till twenty were hung, including one minister 
of the gospel. 

The Puritans were very much ashamed of what they had 
done, though they had acted with entire honesty. One old 
judge used to keep a day of fasting and prayer every vear 
to atone for the sins he had committed. 

33. The cause of this strange outbreak of frenzy is 
now believed to have originated in the personal malice of 
a minister, Samuel Parris. He had a quarrel in his church 

3 




50 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


about the selection of a new minister, George Burroughs. 
Under the management of Parris and the celebrated Cotton 
Mather, minister of Boston, the superstitions of the people 
were turned against Burroughs and his party. He was hung; 
and every one of those accused, imprisoned, or hung, were 
in sympathy with him in the church quarrel. 

In Scotland, four thousand had sulfered death on the 
charge of witchcraft, and it is not very strange that men 
high in authority should cause twenty to be executed in 
Massachusetts. 


NEW YORK, 1623. 


34. The third colomj was planted by the Dutch on 
Manhattan Island, where New York City now stands. It 


did not occur to the 
English king when 
he granted the two 
great patents to the 
London and Ply¬ 
mouth Companies, 
that another nation 
might place a colony 



SEAL OP NEW YORK. 


on the neutral ground between them. This is just what 
happened. The colonists bought the island of the natives 
for twenty-four dollars — about one cent per acre—and 
built a fort at its southern extremity. They surrounded 
this with residences, and called the place New Amsterdam, 
and the colony New Netherlands. 

35. At first the people who came were poor; but soon 
wealthy and influential men, called l^citvooHS^ were sent 
out by the Dutch West India Company. Each of these 
men had authority to found a colony of fifty persons, and 
to own a tract of land sixteen miles wide and extending 
into the interior as far as he chose. Each patroon thus 
became a little lord, who was responsible to the Company. 

36. The population was chiefly honest, thrifty, whole- 
souled DittchlTb^fh^ though they were soon joined by 




COLONIAL SE2TLEMENTS. 


51 


many P>eiich, Germans and English. They were slow and 
leisurely in their manners. They delighted in good eating 
and drinking, a fine story and hearty laughter. 

They it was who introduced into this country many of 
our^popular festivals,—Santa Claus” or “St. Nicholas” 
at Christmas, and dinner parties at New Year. These were 
very different people from the Cavaliers in Virginia, and 
the Puritans in Massachusetts. 



A DUTCHMAN OF THE OLDEN TIME. 


37. For a long time friendly relations were sustained 
with the Indians, But finally, under the influence of 
Dutch rum, they committed several acts of violence. The 
governor, a cruel and unreasonable man, resolved upon a 
general destruction of the natives. A. company of them 
one night was surrounded and murdered before they had 
time to take their arms. 

Soon after, the red men in revenge burst upon the lonely 
settlements and killed all the inhabitants. The contest 









52 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


thus became a succession of acts of retaliation and treach¬ 
ery performed by the opposing races. The people rightly 
charged all the bloodshed and horror to the headstrong pas¬ 
sions of their governor. 

38. Petet^ Htliyvesant, familiarly called “ Head¬ 
strong Peter,” was the last Dutch governor of New Neth¬ 
erlands. Under his government the colony was ably man¬ 
aged and defended against the Indians and the English. 
He was very arbitrary and despotic, and the people had but 
little voice in the government. The greater freedom enjoyed 
by the other colonists made them dissatisfied. 

Finally an English fleet appeared before New Amster¬ 
dam and demanded its surrender. Disregarding the blus¬ 
ter of “ Headstrong Peter,” who had haughtily said that 
his authority was “by the appointment of God and the 
West India Company,” the people welcomed the invaders, 
exj)ecting to enjoy more freedom under English control. 

39. Under the English VUlethQ people did not gain 
as much as they expected; and the history of New York in 
colonial times is a long succession of contests and troubles 
with the royal governors, most of whom were obstinate and 
despotic men. 

40. New York, like Salem, was visited by a fatal delu¬ 
sion known as The Negro Plot, Slavery was then per¬ 
mitted in the province, and the slaves were suspected of 
having caused several destructive fires which occurred. 
Some worthless women testified that the negroes had plot¬ 
ted to burn the city, kill all who opposed them, and set up ^ 
a negro governor. 

Freedom was offered to any slave who would reveal the I 
plot. Scores rushed forward to tell their contradictory tales. | 
The jails were filled, and over thirty accused negroes were j 
hung or burned. Reason soon returned to the people. It j 
was only a panic, and it became evident that there was 7io ] 
plpt at all. 



COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS. 


53 


NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1629. 

■41. The fourth colouif was originally a part of Mas¬ 
sachusetts, and re¬ 
mained so during 
most of the colonial 
times. It was twice 
made a separate pro¬ 
vince, but was again 
placed under the care 

SEAL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. a r i 

oi Massachusetts to 
secure protection from the hostile tribes of Indians. It 
was for a long time vdolently agitated by conflicting claims 
to the land. The people were courageous, hardy, and 
liberty-loving. 




^ or 

SEAL OP MARYLAND, 


MARYLAND, 1634. 

42. The pfth colony was founded by the Catholics of 

England under Lord 
Baltimore, whose 
name was Cecil Cal¬ 
vert. • The object in 
coming was to secure 
religious liberty, de¬ 
nied them under the 
Episcopalian rule in 

England. Not meeting a cordial reception from the Puri¬ 
tans in Massachusetts, Calvert led his i)eople south to 
Chesapeake Bay. 

43. Their Charter was the most liberal which had 
ever received the sanction of the British government. No 
taxes were to be collected without consent of the people. 
Two Indian arrows were to be sent every year in token 

^ of subjection, and one fifth of any gold and silver found in 
the borders of the colony was to be the property of the 
king. 

Equality in religion was conceded to all, with the excep- 







54 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


tion of those who denied the doctrine of the Trinity and 
the revelation of the Bible. The government was nearly a 
pure democracy. These liberal provisions were granted 
by the king as a special favor to Calvert who was his inti¬ 
mate friend. 

44. The population rapidly increased. “ Within 
six months it had advanced as much as Virginia had done 
in as many years.” Here was an asylum for the oppressed 
consciences of England, and large numbers came. Puri¬ 
tans oppressed in Virginia, and Quakers persecuted in 
Massachusetts, found here a quiet home. 

45. Religious tvoubles afterward arose, and con¬ 
stituted a large part of the colony’s history. The Puritans 
became so numerous that they obtained control of the colo¬ 
nial legislature. One of their first acts was to disfranchise 
the Catholics, and deprive them of the protection of the 
laws. A more ungrateful piece of legislation can not be 
found in history. 

War ensued between the Protestants and the Catholics. 
This strange contest between religions for political supre¬ 
macy continued at intervals and with varying fortunes for 
more than a ceiiiturv. 

46. Purely political matters claimed but little 
attention. The habits and occupations of the people were 
much like those of the Virginians. There were few laro-e 
towns, and the people lived on plantations and raised 
tobacco. 

For a long time there was a dispute between Maryland 
and Pennsylvania about their boundary line. But it was 
at last settled by the appointment of two surveyors. Mason 
and Dixon, who drew the boundary called Mason and 
RidCOn’*S line,^^ This line afterward became of great 
importance, because it divided the Slave States from the 
Free States. 


COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS. 


55 


CONNECTICUT, 1635. 

47. The valley of the Connecticut was settled from Mas¬ 
sachusetts. The first COmpciTiy was composed of sixty 


men, women, and 
children, who made 
a journey on foot 
through the wilder- 



V ness, guided by the 


compass and driving 
their flocks. The 
winter came on 


SEAL OP CONNECTICUT. 


early, and they reached their destination after intense suffer¬ 
ing. Before spring came, they must have perished but for 
the milk of their cows. The country was found to be good, 
and settlements were made in several places. 

48. Almost at its beginning the colony engaged in a 
desperate struggle — The JPequod War. It originated 
in a single murder committed by some young Indians. 
This met a bloody punishment from a company of militia. 

An alliance of Indian tribes was prevented only by the 
intercessions of that noble man, Roger Williams. Embark¬ 
ing alone in a frail canoe, during a storm on the bay, he 
proceeded to the wigwam where the Pequod warriors were 
urging the alliance against the English. For three days 
and nights, at the imminent peril of his life, Williams 
resisted the arguments of the Pequods. His efforts were 
successful. 

Soon after, the colonists surrounded the palisaded fort of 
the Pequods, surprised it, and set it on fire. The destruc¬ 
tion was complete and awful. If the wretched Indian 
burst through the flames he met death by the sword or 
bullet. Six hundred men, women, and children, were roasted 
to death in a sickening heap ! The Pequods were utterly 
destroyed. 

49. The ffoverninent was based upon a written 
constitution formed by a convention of the people, the first 





56 


THE HOD EL HISTORY. 


instance of the kind in history. It was one of the most 
liberal ever ado])ted. An oath of allegiance to the State 
was the only qualification of citizenship. The people made 
the laws and chose their officers, and all religions were 
allowed and respected. 

This instrument was sent to England, and, to the surprise 
of every one. Kino; Charles II signed it without the altera- 
tion of a letter. Thus, as though striving to outdo his father’s 
favors to Calvert, he granted the most liberal and ample 
rights ever secured from an English monarch. 

50. The career of the colony was one of nearly 
uninterrupted peace and prosperity. The little republic 
was a shining example of self government. The farmer 
sowed and reaped his fields in safety. The mechanic toiled 
in cheerful content, and the hum of the spinning wheel was 
mingled with the voice of song. Want was unknown, 
wealth was lightly esteemed, and crime was rare, among a 
people who cultivated intelligence and virtue. 

RHODE ISLAND, ]636. 

51. The serenth colony was founded by the exile 
from Massachusetts, Roger Williams. His stay with the 

Indians had greatly 
endeared him to 
them, and they re¬ 
gretted to part with 
him. With five com¬ 
panions he began a 
settlement at a place 

SEAL OK RHODE ISLAND. . , ^ 

which, ill order to 
express his confidence in the ’ mercies of God, he called 
Providence. x\ll the lands which he had bought of the 
Indians the generous founder gave away to the colonists 
who flocked in, excejit two small fields to be cultivated by 
his own hand. 

52. The government was a pure democracy. The 
supreme autlioritv was vested in the entire body of the 
people. The majority should always rule. Laws were 



COLONIAL SETTLE\[ENTS. 


57 


passed g’uaranteeing the utmost freedom in belief and wor¬ 
ship to all,—“ the first legal declaration of freedom of con¬ 
science ever adopted in Europe or x\merica.” 

Maryland made Christianity the religion of the colony, 
but in Rhode Island all beliefs were welcome. A Moham- 
edan from Constantino})le, a Jew from Damascus, ora pagan 
from Madagascar, would have been welcomed at Providence, 
and given a voice in the provincial councils. Thus early 
was the precious tree of Equality planted in America. 

53. Such a scheme of government was a novelty on 
both sides of the Atlantic, and those who made predlc- 
tiOilS of fdiliive were by no means few. But it stood 
the test of time, and became tlie asylum for all tlie 
oppressed bodies and consciences of the other colonies. 

Instead of the predicted turmoil there was oidy peace 
and quiet. It was found that when the State had nothing 
to do with the Church all men could live in harmony. Rliode 
Island was always true to these early professions. Although 
the least of tlie colonies in the area of her territory, she 
was the greatest of them all in the grandeur of her prin¬ 
ciples. 

CAROLINA, 1663. 

54. This settlement was made by English, Scotch, 

Dutch, and French, 
mostly from the other 
colonies. The king 
granted the land to a 
few English noblemen, 
who resolved to have 
a more aristocratic 

SEAL oif SOUTH CAROLINA. foriii of govemiuent 

than any existing in America. 

55. With this view the Grand Model was proposed 
as a constitution “agreeable to monarchy.” It was the 
work of the philosopher John Locke, and was an attempt 
to connect hereditary wealth and political power. Orders 
of nobility were created, and the rights of the common 

3 * 




58 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


people were ignored. It was an attempt to establish an 
aristocratic system among a democratic people. 

There were earls, dukes, barons, knights, lords, and all 
kinds of magnificent nonsense. Of course such a pompous 
scheme did not suit the plain people living in the woods of 
Carolina. It was tried for twenty years, but met with such 
opposition and contempt that the nobility of the statute- 
book-disappeared from history. For a long time the colony 
was without any laws at all. 

56. The cultivation of rice flourished in Carolina. 
The captain of a ship from Madagascar presented to the 
governor a sack of seed, which was distributed among the 
planters. It yielded a good harvest, and the crop soon 
became a staple of the colony. Indigo, tar, turpentine, and 
deer-skins, were also exported. 

57. The division of the colony into North and 

South Carolina came 
after seventy years. 
In the south the people 
lived on large isolated 
plantations as in Vir¬ 
ginia; in the north the 
settlers lived in the 

SEAL OP ^OKTH CAROLINA. 

made tar and turpentine, hunted the bear, and trapped the 
beaver. These differences caused the division of the colony 
in the year 1729. 

NEW JERSEY, 1664. 

58. The history of l^eiv Jersey begins with its set¬ 
tlement by English 
Puritans from Long 
Island, in 1664. The 
colonists bought the 
land of the Indians, 
and of the Governor 

SEAL OP NEW JERSEY. of Now York, who 

claimed the territory as a part of his province. 







COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS. 


59 


59. Afterward, it became a Quaker colony by being 
assigned to a company of English Friends, who ruled it by a 
body of laws called Concessions, The name was very 
))roper, for it conceded every thing to the people, rivaling 
the code of Rhode Island, previously enacted, in the lib¬ 
erality and purity of its ])rinciples. 

All men and all religions were declared equal before the 
law; imprisonment for debt was forbidden; no rum was to 
be sold to Indians; no superiority was acknowledged to 
wealth, title, or birth; and taxes could be levied only by 
vote of the })eople or their representatives. 

GO. The caceev of the province was one of peace. 
Indian wars never troubled the Jerseys. The people were 
industrious, moral, and great lovers of liberty. They hrnily 
resisted the attempts of the royal governors to impose upon 
them. The rich soil and the frugal habits of the people 
brought a prosperity which continued till the end of colonial 
times. 

PENNSYLVANIA, 1682. 

61. IVilliam JPenn^ an eminent English Friend, 
obtained a charter from the king to plant a colony in 

America as an asy¬ 
lum for his afflicted 
people. For this 
charter he aban¬ 
doned a claim of 
eighty thousand dol¬ 
lars, which he held 
against the king. He 
bought the land a second time from the Indians, and invited 
all men to his colony without reference to race or religion. 
“ I will found a colony for all mankind,” were the sublime 
words of Penn. 

62. Its (jrowth was very rapid, and over two thou¬ 
sand settlers came in one year. Within three years Phila¬ 
delphia had gained a larger population than New York in 
half a century. 





60 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


63. One of Penn’s first cares was to make a treaty 
with the Indians, At a great conference, addressing 
them by an interpreter, he said, “My Friends: We are all 
one flesh and blood. Being brethren, no advantage shall 
be taken on either side. When disputes arise we will set¬ 
tle them in council. Between us there shall be nothing 
but openness and love.” 

To this the chiefs replied, “While the rivers run and 
the sun shines we will live in peace with the children of 
William Penn.” This verbal treaty lasted seventy years. 
During the time the colony was under the control of the 
Friends it was free from border troubles, nor was the war- 
whoop heard in the land. 

64. The yovernnient made belief in Christ a neces¬ 
sary qualification for voting and office-holding; but pro¬ 
vided that none who believed in the existence of the Deity 
should be molested in their views. These were very liberal 
provisions for those intolerant times. 


DELAWARE, 1703. 


65. This colony was settled by the Swedes as early as 


“•‘'SS. They were 
n overpowered 
the Dutch. De- 
^are fell under 
control of the 
glish at the same 
. ie as New York. 
For a long time it 



SEAL OP DELEWARK. 


formed a part of Pennsylvania ^ but in 1703 it estab¬ 
lished a legislature, and became a separate colony. It 
took a prominent part in the Revolution. 

GEORGIA, 1733. 

66. Impvison'inent for debt was for a long time 
common in England. Thousands of good but unfortunate 






COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS. 


61 


people lay without hope in prison, while their families were 

desolate and starving. 
A commissioner ap¬ 
pointed at his own 
request visited the 
prisons, investigated 
pauperism, and suc¬ 
ceeded in opening the 

SEAL OF GEORGIA. retumiug the 

poor victims to their homes. Who was this noble hearted 
commissioner ? 

67. James Oijlethorpe^ the philanthropist. He 

obtained a grant of land from King George II, to which 
he invited all the poor and oppressed of England. The 
land was given to the founder ‘‘ in trust for the poor,” and 
was named Georgia, in honor of the king. 

68. Oglethorpe spent ten years with the colony, 
wisely directing the government. The warm friendship of 
the Indians was early secured and always kept. Slavery 
was forbidden, and for many years excluded. The impor¬ 
tation of rum and the sale of it to the Indians, were pro¬ 
hibited. 

69. A conflict with the Spaniards of Florida 
was brought on by their nearness and their rival claims of 
territory. Hostilities continued over two years with vary¬ 
ing success, and ended in the defeat of the Spaniards. 

70. Beside this, there was much internal trouble. 
The settlers had not been allowed to own their lands by a 
deed, and agriculture had not flourished. Estates could be 
inherited only by the eldest son, and the colonists charged 
their poverty to the fact that slave labor was prohibited. 

Slaves began to be hired on terms of service which were 
sometimes as long as a hundred years ! This was equiva- 
*lent to slavery. Finally slaves were imported, plantations 
laid out, the free-labor plan abandoned, and slavery formally 
introduced. 







62 


TEE MODEL HISTORY. 


NATUKE OF THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENTS. 

71. Subjection to the king was the chief feature of the colonial 
governments. These dilfered greatly. The colonies received different 
powers from the monarch, and had different laws among themselves. 
The styles of government were five in number. 

72. I. Voluntary Associatioii. Some colonies, as Con¬ 
necticut, were founded by the people without asking authority of the 
king or others. 

73. II, Cotnmercial Association. Some, as Virginia, 
were founded by a company for purposes of trade and profit. 

74. III. Propri etary. Some, as ^Maryland and Pennsyl¬ 
vania, were founded and ruled by a Proprietor to whom the king had 
granted the land. 

75. IV. Royal. Some, as New York, were ruled by governors 
appointed by the king and made answerable to him. Nearly all the 
colonies were, at some time, under this form. 

76. V. Charter. Some, as Rhode Island, had a written 
instrument from the king granting certain powers and conferring 
certain privileges. 

PERIODS OF COLONIAL FOUNDATIONS. 

77. Only six mouths were required to plant a colony by the 
wise governor of Georgia. 

78. Only one year did the Catholics, require in laying the foun¬ 
dations of the JMarylaiid colony. 

79. Seven years were required in Connecticut. 

80. Eight years were necessary in Rhode Island. 

81. Twelve years were spent by English adventurers in their 
attempt to plant a permanent colony in Virg'inia. 

82. Fourteen years were required to make a permanent settle¬ 
ment in Massachusetts. 

83. For seventeen years Dutch traders were trafficking on the 
Hudson before a permanent colony was planted in New York. 

84. Fifcy years elapsed from the first settlements to the estab¬ 

lishment of colonial governments in Pennsylvania, Delaware 
and New Jersey. ’ 

85. Sixty years passed away before the settlements in Carolina 

and New Ha-iupshire became fully developed colonies. ^ 


COLONIAL PROGRESS. 


63 


CHAPTER II. 

COLONIAL PROGRESS. 

80. The rate of settlement^ as we have seen, was 
slow indeed. The idea of planting agricultural colonies in 
America was long in being entertained, and slow in being- 
executed. 

The great obstacle, at first, was the belief, which outlived 
the early explorers, and which for a century after Vespuc- 
cius filled the popular mind, that America was only a por¬ 
tion of the great Asiatic continent. 

Other and later causes were the attachment of the people 
to their old homes, the dangers of the sea, the sacrifices to 
be endured by pioneers, and the hostility of the Indians. 

87. The great object of eolonlTMtlon was to escape 
from some form of persecution in the Old World. The 
people were nearly all pilgrims and refugees, who fled to 
avoid the intolerance of the state, of the church, or of 
society, beyond the Atlantic. 

To achieve freedom the colonists risked the dangers of 
the sea, endured the sufferings of a wintry coast, braved 
the pangs of famine, and met Indian warfare at their own 
doors. 

88. African Slavery was introduced, as we have 
seen, early in the settlement of the colonies. That score 
of blacks sold by the Dutch traders at Jamestown, was the 
advance troop of that host which was to overshadow the 
republic. 

At that time the slave trade was carried on extensively 
in Europe. Slave labor was wanted in Virginia and else¬ 
where in America. Tobacco was khig. The soil and 
climate were adapted to its culture, and negro labor 
could best produce it. This was the real cause of slavery 
in this country. 

Cargo after cargo of blacks were stolen from their homes 
in Africa and brought to America. Slave labor was found 




64 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


to be profitable to the planters in the South, and slave 
importation to the merchants in the North. Thus the insti¬ 
tution gradually extended to all the thirteen colonies. 
South Carolina alone was a slave colony from its beginning. 
In New England the slaves were employed as house ser¬ 
vants; elsewhere they performed all kinds of manual labor. 

It is an interesting coincidence that the same ocean, in 
the same year, brought to the same shores the Pilgrim 
Fathers, the apostles of freedom, and a cargo of Africans, 
the victims of slavery. 

89. The treatment of the Indians in early times 
produced very marked effects on colonial life. The natives 
received the early explorers with hospitality and confidence. 
But this fair picture passed away, and in the place of mutual 
kindness came those acts of hatred and revenge which 
have resulted in three hundred years of border warfare and 
Indian atrocity. 

90. Their wrongs would make a long record of 
inhumanity. Columbus himself carried considerable num¬ 
bers of the natives to Europe, where they were sold into 
slavery. 

Another explorer carried off fifty to the same fate. 

Another, having induced the confiding Indians to visit 
his ship, closed the hatchways, spread his sails, and started 
for the West Indies. 

Another enticed the king of the Hurons on board his 
vessel, and carried the captive chief to France, where he 
died of grief and loneliness. 

Another compelled them to perform the most degrading 
kind of work, used them as beasts of burden, loaded them 
with chains, killed them without regret, burned their vil¬ 
lages, and pursued the flying inhabitants with blood-hounds. 

When Hayti was discovered it contained about a million 
of inhabitants; but within fifteen years they were reduced 
to sixteen thousand by the cruelty of Spanish taskmasters. 

“ The entire aboriginal population of the West Indies soon 
became extinct under the iron rule of the Spaniards.” The 


COLONIAL PROGRESS. 


65 


practice of selling Indians into bondage in Europe con¬ 
tinued for nearly two centuries. 

91. The news of these and other wrongs spread from 
wigwam to wigwam, from tribe to tribe, till the tales of 
treachery and outrage reached the most distant nations of 
North America. 

92. The PesuJfS were such as might have been 
expected. A general distrust of white men spread among 
the Indians. Except an occasional treaty of friendship, as 
those of Williams, Penn, Oglethorpe, and the French Jesuits, 
not one of the nations colonizing America met the red men 
with kindness, or succeeded in winning their confidence. 

The English colonists were not men of blood, but they 
were far more ready to punish than to pardon offenses. 
The wise men among the Indians told their tribes that more 
Englishmen were yet to come, that they came to stay, and 
that they would drive the red men from their homes and 
hunting-grounds. 

They saw white men increasing, ships arriving, settle¬ 
ments spreading, cities growing. The instinct of self-pre¬ 
servation brought a deliberate resolve to annihilate their 
enemies. Beside, there were frequent conflicts, which 
could not fail to excite revengeful feelings in a savage 
breast. 

Whatever might have been the immediate occasion, these 
were the real causes of those massacres, midnight horrors, 
and Indian wars, wliich fill the pages of colonial history. 

93. The Rev. John Eliot, of Massachusetts, often 
called the Indian apostle, was one of the many good men 
who tried to convert the natives to Christianity. 

He learned their language, wrote an Algonquin grammar, 
and translated the Scriptures into that tongue. This book 
was printed at Cambridge, and was the first Bible publislied 
in the country. He had spent many years in its prepara¬ 
tion, and he made good use of it. It is now a mere literary 
curiosity, the extinction of the tribe for which it was 
intended having made it a sealed book, 





66 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


He spent a long life in missionary work, and was greatly 
beloved by the Indians. His labors were confined to a 
small district, and were only partially successful. At one 
time there were thirty churches of “praying Indians ” 
under native preachers. 

The red men were found to adhere closely to the manners 
of their fathers, and efforts toward their civilization were 
attended with the greatest difficulties. They said they did not 
want the teachings of a people who murdered and enslaved 
them. Eliot was followed by John Sargent, David Brain- 
erd, David Zeisberger, James Marquette, Thomas Mayhew, 
and other heroic laborers in this unpromising field. 

94. The character of the Paritans was stern and 
rugged. They were sober, earnest people, moved by deep 
religious principle, and true to their convictions of duty. 
They were part of a great body of people in England who 
held similar opinions. They were haters of sham and 
fashion—wigs, veils, long hair, plumes, scarfs, silken hoods, 
and long sleeves. 

They wore broad-brimmed hats, long vests, loose pants, 
and knee-buckles. They carefully observed the Sabbath, 
beginning it on Saturday evening. Amusements were 
restrained and holidays abolished. They especially hated 
the observance of Christmas and all the ceremonies of the 
Episcopal church. Industry and economy were every where 
practiced. 

The authority of magistrates was highly respected, and 
the ministers of the Grospel wielded great influence in 
public and private life. In Connecticut it was said that 
every town had a scholar for its minister. From these 
strange, good people have descended the enterprising, pro¬ 
gressive Yankees. 

95. The Puritans of Massachusetts had scarcely settled 
themselves in their new homes, till the work of educa¬ 
tion claimed their attention. In 1647, the general court 
declared that every town or district of fifty families should 
support a common school. Every town of one hundred 


COLONIAL PROGRESS. 


67 


families snould maintain a grammar school of sufficient 
grade to fit young men for Harvard',. founded nine years 
before. 

This regulation soon found its way into the other New 
England colonies, and thus was founded the x4.merican 
system of public schools. Heretofore education had been 
the task of the church or private enterprise, but now for 
the first time in the history of the world, the State took the 
matter in charge, and taxed all for the support of public 
instruction. Thus the foundations of the republic were 
being laid. 

96. With these people church matters were 
esteemed of the highest importance. A drum, a horn, a 

conch-shell, or possibly a bell, 
called the people to service at 
nine o’clock on Sunday morn¬ 
ing. They came to the log 
“meeting - house,” carrying 
their muskets for fear of Indian 
treachery. 

Within the church, the old 
men sat in one place, the young 
men in another, and the chil¬ 
dren in another. The boys sat 
on the stairs or in the gallery, 
guarded by an elder, who car¬ 
ried a long, light rod with a 
hare’s foot on one end, and a 
hare’s tail on the other. 

“ If a woman went to sleep he touched her on the fore¬ 
head with the hare’s tail; if a boy nodded, he received a 
rap with the other end. AVe can imagine the rod was often 
needed, for the service was from three to six hours in 
length, the sexton turning the hour-glass on the pulpit at 
the end of every hour.” 

There were no organs, choirs, or hymns; but the music 
consisted of singing by the entire congregation, from a 



EARLY NEW ENGLAND CHURCH. 





68 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


poetical version of the Psalms. The whole number of tunes 
did not exceed ten, and few congregations could sing more 
than five. 

Prayers and sermons were little esteemed, unless they 
were of great length. The children and servants were 
regularly catechised. Persons were fined for unnecessary 
absence from service, and for protracted absence they were 
put into the stocks or into a cage. 

97. It was early seen that some form of union among 
the colonies would be desirable. The primary object was 
mutual defense. The Dutch threatened in the west, the 
French in the north, and the Indians in the very midst. In 
1643, the colonies Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, 
and New Haven, were joined in a loose confederacy, called 
the United Colon ies of New England, 

The chief authority was vested in the assembly, com¬ 
posed of two representatives from each colony. There was 
no president, and each colony could do as it pleased about 
obeying the laws. Only the general matters relating to 
war and revenue were submitted to the assembly. No 
other colonies were ever admitted, though several others 
applied. This first union lasted forty years. 

98. The laws of New England were generally 
severe. All war that was not defensive was condemned, 
idolatry and blasphemy were punished with death, and 
heavy penalties were attached to gambling, drunkenness, 
and other immoralities. No interest was to be taken on 
borrowed money. 

Church and State were much united. The privilege of 
voting was greatly restricted, and the whole number of 
voters in Massachusetts was not over one-fifth of the popu¬ 
lation. 

99. The genuine Blue Laws of Connecticut — 
called because they were originally printed on blue paper 
— were very curious. A few of them will serve to illustrate 
the strange legislation of the times. The early citizens of 
Connecticut adopted, in substance, the law of Moses as 


COLONIAL PROGRESS. 


69 


their code in the puiiislimeiit of crime. Blasphemy, adul¬ 
tery, and gross immorality were, therefore, capital offenses. 

A child of sixteen years or older, it stubbornly disobe¬ 
dient, or if he should curse or strike his father or mother, 
was liable to the penalty of death. 

Pro-faning the Sabbath was, in extreme cases, a capital 
offense. Lying subjected the offender to a fine of five, 
ten, or twenty shillings 5 inexcusable absence from church 
on Sunday, to a fine of five. 

No man could vote unless he was a member of one of the 
churches allowed in the province. 

All were recpiired to pay for the support of the regular 
congregational minister, and if any failed to do so, he was 
assessed for that purpose, and the assessment was collected 
in law as an ordinary debt. 

If children were brought up in ignorance, the selectmen 
were to ])rovide education at the expense of the parent. 

.Married persons were obliged to live together or be 
imprisoned. Should a young man seek the hand of a young 
ladv in marriage, without having obtained the previous 
consent of her father, he was liable to a fine of forty shil¬ 
lings for the first offense, eighty for the second, and a rea¬ 
sonable amount for the third, or he might be flogged. 

It is well to remember that, though these laws seem to 
us severe, the men of Connecticut were no less tolerant 
than their fellows. While there were twelve capital offenses 
in Connecticut, there were about two hundred in England. 

100. The population of the colonies at the acces¬ 
sion of King James IT to the throne of England was 
two hundred thousand,-seventy-five in New England, forty 
in the middle colonies, and eighty-five in the South. ^ These 
were drawn from several different countries. English pre¬ 
dominated; but Dutch, Swedes, French, Scotch, Irish, and 
Germans also abounded. 

These people were nearly all of a good class, fully deter¬ 
mined to win their way in the New World. This mixture 
of solid men and women from the best races has made the 




70 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


people of the United States the most progressive nation in 
the world. 

101. The faviiliTlf/ of the early settlers was attended 
by many difficulties. Unbroken forests extended from the 
Atlantic to the Mississippi. For many years the people culti¬ 
vated only those small patches of ground which the Indians 
had cleared of wood. After this it was thought necessary 
in clearing land to remove all the stumps and roots. By 
thus doing a man could not prepare more than one acre a 
year. 

But at one time a farmer, more negligent than the others, 
cut down the trees, plowed the stumpy and rooty ground 
as best he could, and scratched in his seed. His neighbors 
made him the subject of much ridicule; but at the time of 
harvest he gathered an excellent crop. It was a great dis¬ 
covery. 

From that time forward forests were rapidly cut away, 
farms were made,.and the waving grain quickly followed 
the woodman’s ax. In New England the land was divided 
into small farms, by which means social life was cultivated, 
and enterprise and thrift were increased. Towns and vil¬ 
lages were numerous. 

In the southern colonies the planters lived on great plan¬ 
tations, miles apart. Their households were large, consist¬ 
ing at first of apprenticed hands sent over from England. 
These laborers were afterward entirely superseded by 
slaves. 

102. The were corn, oats, rye, peas, 

hay, barley, squashes, wheat, and pumpkins. Many of the 
plants which the colonists had brought from Europe could 
not be made to flourish in the climate of the Atlantic coast. 
For whole generations public and private attention was 
given to the production of silk,—almost the only business 
that has not been made to flourish in America. 

It required many years to ascertain the crops suited to 
the conditions of climate; but this was finally done so 
thoroughly that, with the exception of sorghum,'^there has 


COLONIAL PROGRESS. 


71 


been no new field crop of any importance introduced into 
American agriculture since the Revolution. 

x\pples, pears, plums, quinces, and cherries, were raised. 
Cotton and woolen cloths were made in early times in the 
homes of the people. Ship-building was carried on. The 
first cargo sent to Europe was a ship-load of sassafras root. 
The chief exports were furs, fish, sweet potatoes, tobacco, 
and lumber. 

It is a strange fact that one hundred and thirty years 
before England had a saw-mill, one was put in full opera¬ 
tion by the Puritans only fourteen years after their landing. 

103. At first the motley in use was corn, beaver skins, 
bullets, and pounds of tobacco. These were used even in 
paying taxes. English and foreign coins afterward came 
into use. Massachusetts set up a mint in 1652, and coined 
small silver pieces for circulation. 

The mint-master was to receive fifteen pence for every 
twenty shillings coined. It is recorded that he became 
wealthy, and gave his only daughter her weight in silver. 
This coinage was called “ the pine-tree currency.” 

Paper money was first issued by Massachusetts in 1690, 
to defrav the expense of a military expedition. Paper cur- 
rencv soon became common among the colonies. In trade 
with the Indians, Yankee-made wampum was much used. 

I Value was estimated in pounds, shillings, and pence. Dol¬ 
lars and cents came in with the Revolution. 

104. The mode of life was exceedingly simple. 

I The people wore home-spun clothes, and made their yarn 

from the wool of their own sheep. But on great occa¬ 
sions, and on the Sabbath, the young men wore gold 
and silver buttons and showy belts ; and the young 
women, silken hoods, lace handkerchiefs, and embroidered 
caps. 

All persons were required by law to dress within their 
means. Alice Flynt was accused of wearing a silken hood; 
but the complaint was dropped when she showed that she was 
worth a thousand dollars ! Jonas Fairbanks was arrested for 





72 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


wearing “great boots; ” but he was acquitted of the crime 
for want of sufficient evidence. 

J/n, Mrs..) and J/m, were titles applied only to min¬ 
isters, their wives, and persons of high standing. Good¬ 
man and Goodimfe.) commonly contracted into Goody., were 
the addresses of all persons in ordinary stations. Mr. 
Josias Plaistowe stole some corn from the Indians. He 
was afterward only Josias Plaistowe. 



NEW ENGLAND KITCHEN. 


The farmer’s wife rode to church or market behind her 
husband on the same horse. The roads were poor, and 
wheeled vehicles scarce. The food was simple but abun¬ 
dant. People in all stations made their morning and even¬ 
ing meal of mush and milk. The standard dinner was of 
pork and beans, or beef and peas. Tea and coffee were 
not yet used, but home-made beer and cider were largely 
taken as drinks. Potatoes were not much used as foocf till 
a century after the landing at Plymouth. Forks were 


























































COLONIAL PBOORE88. 


73 


not used at the table. Bread was cominonlv made of rye 
and corn-meal rather than of flour. The houses were 
mostly log cabins, with small windows, and chimneys made 
of sticks and clay plaster The furniture was generally 
very simple and plain. The kitchen was the most important 
apartment, with its wide fire place, the mortar and pestle 
for pounding corn, and the firelock for hunting and 
defense. 

There were few amusements; dancing and the theater were 
not tolerated; and no one was allowed to carry cards or 
dice Thanksgiving was instituted to take the place of 
the Christmas festival. The standard of morality was 
very high 

105. British oppression was early felt, more or 
less, in all the colonies, in two ways. 

First. The exactions of the royal governors, who were 
often men without principle, seeking to enrich themselves 
by oppressing the people. 

Second. The Navigation Acts, which forbade all British 
colonies to send their products elsewhere than to England; 
to buy their goods any where but in England; and to send 
by any but English vessels. 

The love of liberty grew strong. Having come originally 
to secure freedom of conscience, tlie colonists soon wished 
1 it to extend to political matters. In every colony the ten- 
I dency was toward “ a rule of the people by the people.” 
The royal interference might check, but it could not destroy, 
this strong tendency toward republicanism. 

106. The reliijloiis belief of the colonists differed 
greatly, though nearly the entire population professed 
Christianity. Maryland, founded by Catholics, soon had, 
like the other colonies, a majority of Protestants. 

The Church of England,—the Episcopal,— prevailed in 
Virginia and Carolina. In New England, the people were 
largely Calvinistic in doctrine and Congregational in prac¬ 
tice. In New York, the Dutch Reformed were supreme. 

The Quaker element predominated in Pennsylvania, 
4 




74 


THE MODEL ILItiTOliY. 


Delaware, Rhode Island and New Jersey. Roger Wil¬ 
liams established at Provddence the first Baptist church in 
America. 

The French Protestants,— the Huguenots,— were found 
in considerable numbers in New Yoi-k and Carolina. 

107. The celebrated John Weslef/, the founder of 
Methodism, and GeoVfje Whitefielil^ an eloquent evan¬ 
gelist, visited America on a missionary tour, in l'^38. It 
was the mission of the latter to arouse the people; of the 
former, to lead and organize. 

The people flocked to their ministry, and on one occasion 
in England, Whitefield is said to have preached to sixty 
thousand listeners. His open-air meetings were often 
attended by forty thousand. This was a time of intense | 
religious enthusiasm on both sides of the ocean, and is 
known as the “ Great Awakenino'.” 

o 

108. A ivar of sects was waged in several of the 
colonies. The people forgot their ideas of tolerance and 
religious equality when power came to them. “ New Eng¬ 
land Protestants appealed to Eiberty; then they closed the 
door against her.” Tt was a sad, strange picture of life. 

1 he Puritans imj)risoned Baptists and executed Quakers. 

1 he Churchmen in Virginia banished Puritans and 
im]:)risoned Baj)tists. f'he Protestants in Maryland disfran- i 
chised the Catholics. j 

But as years passed away, a more kind, tolerant spirit 
])revailed; and long before the end of the colonial period i 
the illiberal sentiment of persecution had passed away. ■ 

CHAPTER III. 

THE FRENCH AXD LNDIAH WAR. j 

109. For three hundred years fi ve powers struggled 

for the possession of North America,— the Indians, Spain, , ( 
France, England, and the Thirteen Colonies. These strug- c 
gles have resulted in nearly all the wars in our history. ii 

110. The Indians were in reality subdued by the 1 





THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 


75 


white races at an early period, although they have continued 
a hopeless struggle at intervals during our entire history. 
For the last fifty years it has Ijeen within the power of the 
United States, did not humanity forbid, to inflict upon the 
red man the last wrong he can suffer — extermination. 

Ill- The Spftnish did not engage to much extent 
in conflicts with other colonists. They left behind them 
names for our towns, rivers, and islands; but they disap¬ 
peared from the territory now included in the United 
States late in our history, at the purchase of Florida, the 
annexation of Texas, the acquisition of California, and the 
war with Mexico. 

112. The Fvench first engaged with the English in 
the struggle for supremacy on the continent. It had long 
been foreseen, in a day when arbitration was not practiced 
and men knew no better way of settling disputes than by 
warfare, that a contest of arms must some time come. 

113. The cmtses of the lear had existed for genera¬ 
tions. They were two in number. 1. The conflicting claims 
of territory. 2. The old enmity of England and France. 

114. The claims of territory on both sides were 
very distinct. The English based their pretensions of 
ownership on the voyage of Cabot along the x\tlantic coast, 
and always assumed that their territory extended westward 
to the Pacific. The French claimed the Mississippi valley, 
})ecause they first explored and occupied it. 

115. French Jesuits, acting in the double capacity 
of explorers and Indian missionaries, had penetrated far 
into the interior. They were brave, devoted men, who 
were ready to endure every privation, suffering, and even a 
lonely death, in carrying a knowledge of Catholic Chris¬ 
tianity to the red men of the forest. 

Under their leadership, the French had explored the 
Great Lakes, had seen the Mississippi River from the Falls 
of St. Anthony to the Gulf, and had established a chain of 
no fewer than sixty military posts on the lakes and in the 
Mississippi valley. 





76 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


116. Some previous collisions liad occurred 
between the English and the French in America; but these 
conflicts had grown out of war between the parent coun¬ 
tries. The issue now raised was an American question, and 
was to be decided, in part, on American soil. 

117. The population of the two nationalities 
in America at that time was nearly as follows: English, 
one million; French, one hundred thousand. The former 
were confined to the Atlantic coast; the latter to the valleys 
of the St Lawrence and the Mississippi. 

118. The immediate occasion of the war was an 
infringement on the French claims by the issue of a grant 
of land to a number of capitalists called The Ohio Com¬ 
pany. This grant consisted of a large tract on the Ohio 
River, with the obligation of colonizing it, and the privi- 
leofes of the Indian trade. 

Immediately the French offered resistance. They broke 
up the settlement, imprisoned the surveyor engaged in lay¬ 
ing off the land, and drove away the traders. 

119. 3IaJor Geov(je Wasli ington now first ap])ears 
in the history of his country. The act of the French 
alarmed the English government, and orders were dis¬ 
patched to the governor of Virginia, to send “ a person of 
distinction” to demand of the French the abandonment of 
the disputed territory. The letter was to be carried from 
the capital of Virginia to the French commander on Lake 
Erie. It was the most serious mission yet undertaken in 
America. 

George Washington was chosen. He was a Virginian 
by birth. When a boy he was distinguished for good 
behavior, for energy, and for a disposition for hard work. 
At sixteen he became a good surveyor. At nineteen he 
was made adjutant of one of the military districts of his 
native State, ranking as maior. 

He was twenty-one when he undertook the message to 
the French commander. He was even then regarded as a 
young man of unusual promise. 






THE FRENCH AND INDIAN VIAR. 


77 


120. Sis Joiirnei/ lay through four hundred miles 
of forests. Selecting a few companions, he traveled the dis¬ 
tance on foot, delivered his message, and bore back the reply 
in safety. No subsequent act of his life elicited so much 
admiration as the performance of this hazardous mission. 
The reply was a courteous but positive refusal to accede to 
the demands of the English. 

121. JJnittj of act 1071 was secured to the colonies 
by the home government. A council was held at Albany, 
in which the provinces resolved to act together. Treaties 
were also made with several Indian tribes. 

A plan for the political union of the colonies was pro¬ 
posed by Benjamin Franklin, a delegate to the council. 
The scheme was adopted by the convention, but it did not go 
into effect. It was rejected by both the colonial assem¬ 
blies and the British government, being too aristocratic for 
the former, and too democratic for tlie latter. 

122. It should be remembered that the Idea of tint on 
grew very sloAvly on this continent. A part of the New 
England colonies had been joined for many years in a con¬ 
federacy formed for protection against the Indians, and for 
the regulation of commerce. 

William Penn had proposed, but not successfully, an 
annual congress of all the colonies, with power to regulate 
trade between them. Franklin received this idea, and 
argued it acceptably before this provincial congress at 
Albany, twenty-two years before the Great Declaration. 

123. The contest which ensued was fought on both sides 
of the ocean, and is called in European history Tlie Seven 
Years’ War. In American history it is known as The 
French and Indian War, For five years commis¬ 
sioners from both nations had been engaged at Paris in 
discussing the conflicting claiins. 

Their labors were in vain. The quarrel was secretly 
incited by the parent governments, and these intrigues 
soon brought on a general war vastly more disastrous than 
the contest on this side of the Atlantic, nearly nine 



78 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


hundred thousand men falling on the battle-fields of 
Europe. 

1755. 

124. General Edward Braddoch. an Irish officer 
of distinction, bore a commission as Commander-in-Chief 
of all the British and colonial forces in America. 

125. Four ejcpeditions were planned as the opera¬ 
tions of the year: one under General Johnson, against 
Crown Point; a second under General Shirley, against Fort 
Niagara; a third under General Winslow, against the French 
settlers in Nova Scotia; and a fourth, and chief, under Gen¬ 
eral Braddock, against Fort Du Quesne. 

126. The first was a failure. 

127. The second was a failure. 

128. The third was a success. The French settlers 
of Nova Scotia were a peaceable, innocent, and happy 
people. They desired to remain neutral during the war, 
but it was claimed that they might join their countrymen 
in arms. 

Seven thousand of them were therefore kidnapped, put 
on ships, and carried into exile into the various colonies. 
Families were broken up, never to be reunited; and the 
newspapers in following years often contained advertise¬ 
ments asking for missing relatives. The crops and the I 
homes of the simple Acadians were destroyed, and the 
people stripped of every possession except the clothes 
they wore. 

This act resulted in the expulsion or extinction of the 
entire French population of Nova Scotia. The poet Long¬ 
fellow founded his poem entitled “Evangeline” on this 
sad event. 

129. was a failure. Rejecting the advice 
of Washington, Braddock fell into an Indian ambuscade, 
and his army was thrown into confusion. The loss was 
heavy. Braddock was killed, and the remnant was saved 
only by the coolness and skill of Washington, who led the 
shattered army back to Philadelphia. 





THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 


79 



CAPE/BROSEa^S 


PRIN/ 

ED'W-AkR 


RENCE 

w/ > 

lAlFAX 


Gaspereau^I^ 

I PORT ROVllf^ 




Quebec o) 


Augusta o' 


iANTUCKET 


Boston 


i^^CROWN 


TfCONDEROGA 


FORT S, 

frontenac4^ 


FT. STANWIX 


,New York^ 


FI . NIAGARA 
SIAGARA FALLS & R 
^ BufI'ALO 


PRESQUE /. 


FORT 


Potomac 


FT.VENANGO 
"A FT.DUQUESNE 


Williamsburg 


FT CUMBERLAND 


Detroi: 


W ^ h.bqgart eng r. cm 

































80 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


1756. 

130. The plan of the campaign was the same as 
the year before, with the exception of the expedition against 
Nova Scotia. The colonies had twenty thousand men in 
the field. Every one of the expeditions failed. 

1757. 

131. The plan this year was a single expedition 
against Louisburg, on Cape Breton. Leaving the entire 
Canadian frontier in undisputed possession of the French, 
the British General Loudon settled down near Louisburg 
with eleven thousand men, cleared off a mustering plain, 
and, lest his men should take the scurvy, planted the fields 
near the city in onions ! 

W^hen he heard that the enemy had one more ship than 
himself, he surpassed his former absurdity by sailing away 
to New York. Thus the exj^edition endbd in disgrace and 
failure. 

132. The situation was far from satisfactory to the 
English. They had not a single village or fortress remain¬ 
ing in the whole valley of the St. Lawrence. West of the 
mountains there was not a single cabin where English was 
spoken. France claimed, and appeared to possess, twentv 
times as much American territory as England, although its 
population was only one-tenth as great. 

1758. 

133. Discontent with the management of the war was 
now freely expressed in the colonies and in England. 
3Iore ingorous measures were adopted. The British 
ministry was changed, and William Pitt, called the Great 
Commoner, was placed at the head of the government. 
The colonies raised men and money, and in the spring 
fifty thousand regular and provincial troops took the field. 
This force equaled the entire male French population of 
the continent. 

134. The plan of operations was nearly the same 





THE FRENCH AND INDTAN WAR. 


81 


as that of tho first year of the war. Three expeditions 
were planned. The first against Louisburg; the second 
against Ticonden^ga; and the third against Fort Du Quesne. 

135. The was successful. With twelv^e thousand 

men the British attacked the fortress by land, and bom¬ 
barded it from the fleet. After thirty days the defenders 
of Louisburg struck their colors. It was the first heavy 
blow of the English armies against the French power in 
America. 

130. The second was a failure. A finely equipped 
army of fifteen thousand,— the largest force that had ever 
been seen in the western hemisphere,— came confidenth" to 
Ticonderoga. It was repulsed with a loss of two thousand. 

137. The third was successful. Nine thousand men 
went against the fort. The advance detachment, under 
Washington, proceeded with caution, and found the fortress 
burned and abandoned. The army entered the ruins, raised 
the English flag, and named the place Pittsburg, in honor 
of the British minister. Washington had already displayed 
military qualities superior to those of any other general 
who had appeared on the continent. 

1759. 

138. The plan of the campa Ufn was to conquer 
Canada, and it embraced three expeditions; one against 
Ticonderoga; the second against Fort Niagara; and the 
third, and chief, against Quebec. Every one of these 
expeditions was successful. 

139. General IVoJfe^ the British commander of the 
third expedition, rose from a bed of sickness, and in the 
stillness of night led his army up a precipice three hundred 
feet high to a plain,— the Plain of Abraham,— overlooking 
Quebec. 

JMontcahn, the French general, led out his forces, and 
a bloody battle was fought. Both comnianders were slain. 
The capital of New France surrendered 

140. The Treaty of Par is ended the war. France 
gave up to England all her possessions in North America 

4 * 



82 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


east of the Mississippi River, except the city of New Orleans 
and the island adjoining it. Thus England won in the con¬ 
test for the possession of the continent. It was to be the 
home of the English-speaking millions. 

141. The cost of the war to the colonies was very 
great. The British generals often sneered at the awkward 
young farmers and mechanics fighting in their armies, but 
they nearly always did their duty well, and many thousands 
of them had fallen in the struggle. The colonies spent 
sixteen million dollars, five of which were afterward repaid 
by the British government. 

142. The significance of the war was in its being 
a preparation for the impending struggle of the Revolution. 

It was a training-school for the generals and soldiers of the 
colonies. It showed them war as conducted by the best 
captains of Europe. Washington, Putnam, Gates, Mont¬ 
gomery, Stark, Arnold, Morgan, and others, who acted in 
the Revolution, here learned the tactics of war. 

It taught the colonies the idea of consolidation, and that 
“ in union there is strength.” In later years, when defend¬ 
ing the x\merican colonies in Parliament, the statesman 
Burke strikingly illustrated the process of growth now i 
going on in American character: “ These colonies are yet in 
the gristle; they have not yet hardened into honeT 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE INTERVAL. j 

143. The sixteen years between the close of the | 
French War and the opening of the Revolution, were years 
in which the character of the colonies rapidly matured. It 
was a time of deep political study. 

The Common Law of England was everywhere discussed, i * 
and every young lawyer became familiar with the legal ^ 
literature of the parent country. Burke said of America, ^ ^ 
“ In no country in the world is the law so general a study.” f 
Meetings for political debate were held in every city and 





r 

THE INTERVAL. 83 

village. The rights of man was the absorbing theme; 
and the very schoolboys tried to handle, in earnest discus¬ 
sion, the high topic. 

144. The St((te of society was very different from 
that of the early colonial times. There had been a gradual 
■assimilation of manners, and the colonies had become a 
coherent people. Instead of being thirteen provinces with 
separate and sometimes opposing interests, they had be¬ 
come one nation in thought and feeliim. 

O O 

They were Americans. They began to feel that they all 
had the same interests, and that it was their destiny at some 
time to be a united people. Society was growing in prepa¬ 
ration for nationality; but the most far-seeing statesman 
could not have imagined that union and independence were 
to come together. 

145. Agriculture continued to be the chief industry, 
but slow progress was made in introducing improved meth¬ 
ods of husbandry. 

Seeds were expensive and implements imperfect. The 
sickle, the scythe, and the flail, made the farmer’s life full 
of labor. Rotation of crops was not thought of, and the 
value of fertilizers was little understood. 

Sheep and cattle were not over half as large as at the 
present time. The swine were long-legged, covered with 
bristles, and hard to fatten. There were no agricultural 
journals, and “book-farming” was often spoken of with 
contempt. With the exception of a few valuable essays 
on field husbandry, published in 1747, by Jared Eliot, a 
clergyman, there were no attempts to encourage improved 
tillage. 

Tobacco was the source of much wealth in Virginia, 
where the planters became an aristocratic class. The pro¬ 
duce of the Mt. Vernon plantation was carefully managed 
by the proprietor, and the barrels of flour bearing the brand 
of George Washino-ton of Mt. Vernon were entered in the 
ports of the West Indies without inspection. 





84 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 



A))out the year 1740, a young woman of eighteen, named 

Eliza Lucas, was managing a 
plantation in South Carolina. 
Her father sent her some cotton 
seeds from the West Indies. 
She planted them and had a 
good crop. From that day, the 
cultivation of cotton increased 
with great rapidity in the South, 
till it became the king of pro¬ 
ducts. 

146. In the northern colo¬ 
nies, nianufcictiirinff also 
received much attention. The 
people early began to diversify 
their industiy, and to make by 
hand nearly all the articles pro¬ 
duced in England. 



THE COTTON PLANT. ypg maiiufactory was a 

glass furnace. Hats, paper, household furniture, farming 
implements and cutlery, were made to a limited extent. 
Silks were made in Connecticut, cotton and woolen cloth 
in Rhode Island, and shoes at I^vnn. 

The weaving* of cloth by machinery was not yet thought 
of, and the thrifty j^eople spun their yarn and wove their 
fabrics by hand. It is recorded that Mrs. Washington had 

sixteen spinning-wheels running 
at a time. 

Ship carpenters were l)usy. 
Nantucket had one hundred and 
fifty vessels engaged in whaling 
vo^^ages; and Marblehead had fifty 
vessels in the foreign fishing trade. 

Iron furnaces were erected as 
early as 1740, the same year in 
which Eliza Lucas planted her 
cotton seed. 


SPINNING-WHEEL. 










THE INTERVAL. 


85 


147. The usual mode of travel was on foot or on 
horseback, though the geiitlenieii planters of Virginia used 
to ride in a great coach with yellow wheels, and drawn by 
six horses. 

There were no turnpikes nor macadamized roads. Lum¬ 
bering coaches made the trip from New York to Philadel¬ 
phia twice a week ; but in 1766 a stage was put on the 
route which accomplished the journey in “ the remarkably 
short time of two days.” This was called The Flying 
Machine. 

148. For a long time postal accommodations 
were very inferior. Previous to 1693, all mail matter was 
carried by private conveyance. In that year Parliament 
voted to establish post-offices in the colonies, and Thomas 
Neale was authorized to transmit letters and packets “at 
such rates as the planters should agree to give.” 

Seventeen years later, a chief office was established at 
New York, and a line of posts reaching northward to New 
Hampshire and southward to Philadelphia. The postman 
traversed this route as often as letters enough had accumu¬ 
lated to pay expenses. 

Benjamin Franklin held the office of postmaster general 
in America for twenty years, until his dismissal at the out¬ 
break of the Revolution. 

149. Slavery continued to flourish in all the colonies. 
Its prosperity was owing in part to the demand for slave 
labor, and in part to slave importation by order of 
the British government. 

In 1712, the English South Sea Company and the 
African Company were endowed with the monopoly 
of introducing negro slaves into the western world. 
They were encouraged and firmly sustained by English 
legislation, and during the century em^mg at the Declara¬ 
tion of Independence, the British nation, chiefly by these 
two companies, imported into the English, Spanish, and 
French colonies in America about three million negroes, 
most of them between the ages of fifteen and thirty years. 




86 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Several of the colonies, and especially Virginia, com¬ 
plained of this excessive importation ; but Parliament was 
firm in the support of this traffic, pronouncing it “ a trade 
highly advantageous to the kingdom and its colonies.” The 
object of all this was to encourage agriculture and discour¬ 
age manufacturing in America, in order that British facto¬ 
ries might have an abundant supply of raw materials and a 
ready market for their goods. 

The acknowledged policy was to keep the colonies 
dependent on the parent country. The result was that fifty 
years before Independence some of the colonies had a 
greater colored than white population. 

150. The slave laws in force during colonial times 
were very severe. As a sample, it may be stated, that in 
the colony of the Carolinas, it was enacted, in 1712, that 
“all negroes, Indians, and mulattoes, who can not prove 
themselves freemen, are made and declared slaves.” Any 
person finding a slave abroad without a pass, must 
chastise him, or else be liable to a penalty for the 
omission. 

All crimes committed by a slave, from theft to murder, 
were punishable by death. If the owner of a runaway 
slave failed to whip the culprit, cut off his ear, or brand 
him with a red-hot iron, he forfeited his ownership. 

The expense of hunting slaves was paid from the public 
treasury, and if any person, while engaged in such service, 
should be disabled, the public paid the damages. If a slave 
died during his punishment, no penalty was to be attached, 
unless murder was intended, when a fine of fifty pounds 
was to be paid. 

151. The New Englanders could no longer be 
be called Roundheads. They wore great powdered wigs, 
and tied them behind in a long queue fastened by a pink 
ribbon. Well dressed gentlemen at home wore a red velvet 
cap, a blue damask dressing-gown, a white satin waistcoat 
with deep embroidered flaps, black satin breeches, long 
white silk stockings, and red morocco slippers. This was a 





THE INTERVAL. 


87 


very dandyish costume compared with the modest dress of 
the early Puritans. 

In manners and opinions the people had not changed so 
much. They believed in the future, and they labored as 
much for posterity as for themselves. They still maintained 
their spiritual worship; they called upon no saint; they 
hated Christmas and Popish festivals; they erected neither 
altar nor crucifix; they married without a minister; and 
buried the dead without prayer. They thus manifested 
their dislike of Episcopacy and Catholicism. 

152. The Southerners were mostly descendants of 
the original Cavaliers of Virginia. They dressed much as 
their neighbors in New England, but differed from them 
greatly in manners. The Virginia planters lived like 
princes. They had grand Christmas dinners, with music 
and dancing. They did not care much for schools and 
books, but built fine residences, and bought gay dresses and 
rich furniture. 

They busied themselves in managing their plantations, 
and spent their vacant time in hunting and fishing. Bull¬ 
baiting, cock-fighting, and fox-hunting were popular amuse¬ 
ments. Much attention was given to politics. 

153. As time advanced, many new customs were 
introduced into society at which we would smile to-day. 
Watches were rarely carried. Forks at the table were used 
in 1680 in the wealthier families, but plates were articles 
not yet thought of. 

Coffee was used by only a few, and as a luxi^ry. Tea 
was supped sparingly in 1710. Potatoes began to be used 
as food about 1720; but when, fifty years later, Samuel 
Garver put away a bushel for winter use, his neighbors 
wondered what he would do with so many ! 

In 1721, singing by note began to be introduced into 
church service, a custom which encountered much 
opposition, and opened a ten years’ quarrel in the 
churches. 

An organ was made in 1745, but it was not allowed in 



88 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


the “meeting-house.” At home, young ladies played on 
the spinet, and the young men on the violin. 

About the close of the French war, chaises came into use 
for Sunday traveling, in place of the saddle. 

The Tress early became a power in the land. 
Few books were allowed by Parliament to be printed in* 
the colonies, but they were highly prized. In 1G39 an 
English printer named Stephen Day, set up at Cambridcre 
the first printing press. ” 

The first printing done in the country was The Freeman’s 
Oath, and the next, an almanac calculated for New England. 
The first book was a poetical translation of the pLlms, 
which was published in a volume of three hundred pages' 
and went through seventy editions. It was the hvmn-book 
of New England. 

The first newspaper ajipeared in 1704, and was called 
the Moston 2fews Letter. John Campbell was the first 
American editor. Fifty years later there were but seven 
newspapers in the country. They were small, single sheets, 
frequently printed on only one side, and mostly devoted to 
local news. 

The age of newspapers had not yet come. But pam¬ 
phlets on political topics were very popular, and teemed 
with much thought in the right direction. Sound political 
philosophy was thus spread amo.ig a people who were so 
soon to take a place among the nations. 

loo. In 1733, .Tohn Peter Zenger, of New York, pub¬ 
lisher of. the Weekbj .Tounial, strongly censured the o-ov- 
ernor and the assembly for laying illegal ta,xes on“the 
colony. No newspaper had ever taken so bold a step 
before. Zenger was arrested on a charge of libel, and the 
edition ot his paper containing it was publicly bnrned. 
The freedom of the jtretts was thus for the first time 
put on trial. Attorneys feared the power of the o-overn- 
ment, and it was very difficult for Zenger to obtain c^ounsel 

On the day of trial, a venerable, noble-looking strana-er 
appeared on his behalf. It was Andrew Hamilton, the 






THE INTERVAL. 


89 


speaker of the assembly of Pennsylvania, and the famous 
“Quaker lawyer” of Philadelphia. Being not allowed to 
prove the truth of the charge which Zenger had made, 
Hamilton appealed to the jury that they were aware from 
their own knowledge, that it was true, and asserted that 
the principles of liberty were on trial before them, and not 
the mere person of a man. 

Zenger was acquitted amid cheers; and thus freedom 
was proclaimed to the press in the New World, long before 
it had escaped the censorship of the government in the Old. 

156. The JPllJpit was also a great educator of the 
times. Many of the ministers were men of superior scholar¬ 
ship, who preached their long, strong sermons to congre¬ 
gations of farmers, mechanics, and small tradespeople of 
the district. In many a parsonage the Scriptures were read 
in the original languages at the morning and evening 
worship. 

For two-thirds of a century metaphysical theology had 
held the ascendency in the ministry; but the clergy did not 
stop with the discussion of dogmas : they led and inspired 
the people ; they kept patriotism aflame ; they promoted 
vital religion ; they moulded national character. 

157. The importance of education was acknowledged 
from the first settlement of the colonies. In ]Vew Eng¬ 
land^ the people prized it next to religion. In Connecti¬ 
cut, every town that did not keep open a school at least 
three months in the year, was liable to a fine. 

The “ town-meetings,” long since gone out of style, were 
then common. Old and young, rich and poor, there met 
on equality, and discussed matters of local and national 
interest. Every one had the right to vote and speak. In 
these village councils the people formed the habit of acting 
in a body for the good of all, and accepting the will of the 
majority as law. These meetings developed public spirit, 
taught the people the important art of self-government, 
and gave skill in public debate. 

158. The Middle colonies had their common 





90 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


schools and colleges. The first schools in New York were 
taught by Dutch masters, who gave instruction in English 
as an accomplishment. 

The first girls’ school in the country was started at Lewis¬ 
ton, Delaware. In the first schools of Pennsylvania, “read¬ 
ing, writing, and casting accounts,” were taught for eight 
shillings a year. 

159. The Sotffhevil colonies met with difficulties 
in their plans to promote education. The royal governors 
were generally opposed to public instruction, and would 
not allow the people to have common schools. One of the 
governors of Virginia, Sir William Berkeley, said, “ I thank 
God there are no free schools* nor printing in the colony, 
and I hope there will not be these hundred years: for learn¬ 
ing has brought disobedience, heresy, and sects into the 
world, and printing has published and scattered them.” 

This wish came near being fulfilled; for, a century and a 
half later, a member of Congress from Virginia thanked 
God that his district was without a newspaper. The scat¬ 
tered condition of the people was unfavorable to the cause 
of general education. The planters, and others who could 
afford the expense, sent their sons to be educated in 
England. 

160. It must be acknowledged that litevfltuve and 
seienee did not receive much attention in colonial times. 
The people were too busy in making homes and developing 
their country. Increase Mather, one of the early presi¬ 
dents of Harvard College, and his son. Cotton Mather, were 
the founders of American literature. 

Cotton Mather’s Magnalia, a religious history of New 
England, was the first important book written by a native 
.^f this country, and it is still interesting reading. Frank¬ 
lin’s experiments with a boy’s kite, by which he proved the 
identity of lightning and electricity, elicited the praise of 
all Europe. 

161. Nine colleges existed in this country at the 
close of the colonial period,—three Episcopalian, three 






THE INTERVAL. 


91 


Congregational, one Presbyterian, one Baptist, and one 
Dutch Reformed. They exerted a great and steady influ¬ 
ence from a very early date. They sent out a continuous 
succession of minds, trained to do their country’s solid think¬ 
ing and effective action. They educated the generation 
of men who achieved Independence. 

162. Harvard College was the oldest of these insti¬ 
tutions, being founded in 1638, at Cambridge, Massachu¬ 
setts, only eighteen years after the landing of the Puritans. 
They saw that they must provide for the education of young 
men in the ministry, as they could not fill their pulpits 
from England. 

At the outset about two thousand dollars were appropri¬ 
ated by the general court, gifts of books were made, many 
subscribed cash or supplies, and the school was opened with 
a very small attendance. 

A few vears afterward, each family gave a peck of corn, 
or a shilling, or a sheep, or a string of wampum, for its 
support. The income of a ferry was set aside for its use, 
and valuable presents of books were sent from England. 

It was named Harvard College in honor of John Harvard, 
a lately arrived and learned Englishman, who, in his will, 
made bequests of his library and five thousand dollars in 
money. As a college motto it adopted the words. For 
Christ and the Church. As it was the earliest, it has also 
been the most richly endowed, institution in the land. It 
is the pride of the United States, as it was the pride of its 
Puritan founders. 

From its walls have issued Everett, Sparks, Emerson, 
Bowditch, Felton, Ticknor, Longfellow, Lowell, Charming, 
Palfrey, Parsons, Story, Kent, and many other illustrious men. 

163. William and 3Iarg College was next in 
order, being founded in 1693, at Williamsburg, the colonial 
capital of Virginia. In its early history it was much inter¬ 
ested in humane but impracticable schemes for the educa¬ 
tion of the Indians, who, instead of instructing their race, 
nearly always relapsed into barbarism themselves. 



92 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Another object was the preparation of young men to 
become ministers of the church in Virginia —the Episcopal. 
Although four times destroyed by fire, it was promptly 
rebuilt, and has always been the leading educator of the 
South. 

Its list of distinguished names is very long. It instructed 
Peyton Randolph, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John 
Tyler, Chief Justice Marshall, and Winfield Scott. It gave 
Washington his commission as surveyor, and made him its 
chancellor during the last ten years of his life. 

164. Seeing the great success and advantages of the 
Harvard school, ten worthy ministers assembled, in 1700, 
near New Haven, and each placed a few volumes upon the 
table at which they were sitting, with these words: “I give 
these books for the founding of a college in this colony.” 

Such was the beginning of Yale Collcffe, It was 
named in honor of Elihu Yale, a native of New Haven, 
who made valuable gifts of books and money. Sir Isaac 
Newton and other Englishmen sent books. 

The college has always held a prominent place in Ameri¬ 
can education, and has produced many famous men. Ten 
thousand persons have received degrees, of whom over two 
thousand have been ministers of the gospel. It has now 
about one thousand pupils, under fifty professors. 

165. The Collecfe of New Jersey at Princeton was 
founded in 1746. It had its origin, like the others, in a 
desire to educate gospel ministers. It has always filled a 
large sphere, esjiecially in the education of Presbyterian 
clergymen. It has granted about six thousand degrees. 

166. Colnmhia College —iormerlj called King’s 
College —was founded in the city of New York, in 1755. 
Among its early students were DeWitt Clinton, Alexander 
Hamilton, and John Randolph. It has always been famous 
as a classical-school. Its School of Mines is propably the 
most prosperous in the country. It has about one thousand 
pupils. 

167. In the same year the University of Penn- 


THE INTERVAL. 


93 


sylvanict was founded at Philadelphia by Benjamin 
Franklin. 

168. Brown University — formerly called Rhode 
Island College — was founded at Providence in 1764. It is 
controlled by the Baptists — the followers of Roger Wil¬ 
liams— but the utmost liberality is practiced in religious 
opinion. Like nearly all the other colleges, it was closed 
during the Revolution. 

169. Batyers College— Queen’s College 
— was founded in 1770 by the Dutch Reformed. It is situ¬ 
ated at Brunswick, New Jersey. It has had much financial 
embarrassment during its history. 

170. IXirtniouth College was founded at Hanover, 
New Hampshire, in 1769, to provide a Christian education 
for the Indians. W^ithout exalted pretensions it has always 
done its work well, and has sent out over five thousand 
graduates, among whom were Daniel Webster and Rufus 
Choate 

171 The libraries of colonial times were few in 
number but great in power. They were moulders of society. 
The Philadelphia Library was founded by Franklin in 1731. 
He was then a young man, and desired to provide the means 
of self-improvement to the masses. It now contains about 

one hundred thousand vol¬ 
umes. 

The Redwood Library, at 
Newport, R. I., was founded 
near the same time by a club 
of literary gentlemen. The 
New York City Library was 
chartered in 1754. The Li¬ 
brary of Congress was not 
founded till after the Revolu¬ 
tion. 

172. The colonial times 
produced several great 
men^ whose lives are illus- 




94 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


trious examples to American youth, and whose labors did 
much to shape the American character. 

173. tToflfdhafl Edwcti^dSf of Connecticut, was one 
of the greatest theologians and metaphysicians that has 
lived in this country. Born in a colony which was almost 
a wilderness, educated at a college yet in its infancy, and 
settled for many years as pastor over a church on the 
borders of civilization, he yet exerted the greatest influence 
over religious thought and character. His greatest work 
was “ An Inquiry into the Freedom of the Will.” His 
belief was severely Calvinistic. He died in the midst 
of his usefulness, at the age of fifty-five. 

174. ^enjaniwi FfatilHin ^ the philosopher and 
statesman, was a man of ceaseless activitv, and possessed 

a truly practical mind. He 
founded the first jniblic librarv, 
and edited the best newspaper 
in the colonies. He first intro¬ 
duced news])aper advertising. 
He created our post-office sys¬ 
tem. He invented the Frank¬ 
lin stove, and abolished that 
great nuisance of colonial times, 
smoking chimneys. He first 
effectually taught the necessity 
ot ventilation, introduced the 
basket willow, and suggested 
the use of mineral fertilizers. He proved the identity of 
lightning and electricity, and set up the first lightning- 
rods. 

He founded the American Philosophical Society, our first 
organization in the interests of science. He first expounded 
the theory of ocean navigation by means of winds and 
currents. He proposed the first acceptable scheme for 
uniting the colonies, and was chiefly instrnmental in caus¬ 
ing the repeal of the Stamp Act. He took a leading part 
in concluding the peace which ended the Revolution, and 



THE INTEllV^iL. 


95 


in the labors of the convention which framed the Constitu¬ 
tion. He died at the ag-e of eiglity-four. 

175. Janies Ofis^ the fervid orator of Massachusetts, 
was the iirst man to assert before a supreme court the doc¬ 
trine of tlie right of the colonies to absolute freedom of 
trade under self-imposed laws. He was the earliest leader 
of the Revolutionary party in Massachusetts. He made a 
masterly argument against the “Writs of Assistance,” and 
was largely instrumental in securing their repeal. 

He became the Father of Congress l)y first proposing to 
call a convention of the colonies without asking consent of 
the king. He issued a radical treatise entitled, “ Rights of 
the British Colonies.” He died just before the Revolution, 
by a stroke of lightning, at the age of forty-nine. 

170. I^ateick HenriJ, of Virginia, was the twin 
spirit of Otis. The early part of 
his life was spent in struggles with 
poverty; but he made up for his 
early disadvantages by subsequent 
study. His first case in law won 
him fame. His vigorous argument 
in the House of Burgesses secured 
the o})position of the colonies to 
the Stamp Act. He is represented 
as having possessed extraordinary 
powers of oratory, and he was 
every where regarded as the cham¬ 
pion of colonial liberty. 

CHAPTER V. 

CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 

177. The attachment of the cotonies to the 
mother country was deep and sincere. They believed in 
the justice of English sentiment, and had no thought but 
of submission to the king and the laws. Even after they 
had raised armies and begun to fight, the Continental Con- 



PATRICK HENRY. 






96 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


gress said, “We have not raised armies with the ambitious 
design of separating from Great Britain and establishing 
independent States.” 

178. But the destiny of America was a separate 
national existence. Numerous influences were at work to 
produce this result much sooner than the most far-seeing 
statesman would have predicted. 

179. Firsts the very origin of the colonies indicated 
independence as their birthright. 

180. Second^ their isolation from the parent country 
forbade European control of the continent. 

181. Third, the misconduct of the royal governors, 
and the obstinacy of the English king, made the people 
suspicious of arbitrary power. 

182. Fourth, the anti - monarchical institutions, the 
marked absence of class-legislation, the consciousness of 
capacity for self-government, and the opinions of a self- 
reliant people concerning political liberty — all pointed to 
independence as the natural condition of the colonies. 

183. These were the real causes of the FevdUi- 
tion. 

184. The immediate occasion of that struggle 
was the passage of several acts by Parliament, supposed 
to be destructive of liberty. These extended over a period 
of twelve years just preceding the outbreak, and related to 
the collection of money by taxation. 

185. Ttic policy of England was to make all her 
colonies a source of revenue. An English statesman 
declared in Parliament that this was the very purpose for 
which they were planted. With this view, the treatment 
of the American colonies was, from the first, rather severe, 
though far less so than the oppression of English colonies 
in other parts of the world, as India and Ireland. 

The idea ]nevailed that if one nation became wealthy 
another must become poor, that what one gained another 
lost, and that it was necessary to enact laws to secure the 
prosperity of England. 


CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 


97 


186. To secure the exeeiition of this policy^ the 
Navigation xVct had been passed by Parliament to restrict 
the commerce of other nations, over a century before this 
time — 1651. Other Acts followed: one placing a heavy 
tax on sugar, molasses, and rum imported into the country; 
another, forbidding the erection of iron works ; another, 
prohibiting the manufacture of steel and other articles 
which would compete with the English products in the 
markets of the world. 

In the land of the beaver no hats could be made, as, it 
was argued, America would soon supply the whole world 
with hats. In a land of abundant mineral wealth it was 
forbidden “ to make even a nail for a horse-shoe.” In a 
country where every family read the Scriptures, no English 
Bible could be printed without committing piracy. 

The object of all this was to secure an American market 
for English goods at a high price, and an English market 
for American goods at a low price. 

187. But such laws could never be carried into effect. 
They were simply disregarded and ignored. To aid the 
officers in finding smuggled goods. Parliament authorized a 
kind of search-warrant called Writs of Assistance, 
They gave command to the constables to enter houses to 
search for and seize goods suspected of having evaded the 
duty. These acts created much excitement in the colonies. 

188. The essential point in the difficulty was that 
America was not represented in the British Parliament. 
It should be remembered that at this time it was not the 
custom with the European nations to permit the representa¬ 
tion of their colonies in their law-making assemblies. The 
colonists were willing to pay taxes only on condition that 
they should have a voice in the government. 

“ No taxation without representation^'' was the pithy and 
popular motto of the times. When the colonies were called 
upon to pay a still greater portion of the expense of the 
French War, which had added three hundred million dollars 
to the English debt, the colonial legislatures declared that 
5 






98 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


their losses and expenses in the struggle were already as 
great as they could bear. 

189. Nevertheless the StCimj) Act passed Parliament 
by a vote of five to one. It provided that all legal docu¬ 
ments, almanacs, pamphlets, newspapers, and advertise¬ 
ments should be written or printed on paper bearing an 
English stamp, and furnished by the British government at 
high prices. 

The sum demanded for each sheet varied from a half¬ 
penny to six pounds. This would prove a heavy tax on 
business. As some compensation to the colonies for the 
stamp duties, provision was made for allowing the exporta¬ 
tion of American lumber to all the ports of Europe. 

190. The Quartering Act was passed about the 
same time. It provided that a standing army should be sent 
to America, and that the people should provide bedding, fire¬ 
wood, drink, soap, and candles, for the soldiers. It was a 
new thing to see soldiers among the colonists in times of 
peace, and it was regarded by them as a menace. Their very 
presence was, under the circumstances, hateful and irri¬ 
tating. 

191. The feeJing of the colonists on the passage 
of these measures, was one of sorrow and anger. Frank¬ 
lin, who was then in England, using his influence to pre¬ 
vent their adoption, wrote home: “The sun of liberty is 
set; you must light up the candles of industry and 
economy.” Serious alarm was excited from one end of the 
country to the other. 

192. Several of the colonial legislatures passed 
strong resolutions denouncing the Acts. In Virginia, after 
waiting several days in vain for the older members to speak, 
Patrick Henry, “alone, unadvised, unassisted,” jotted down 
five resolutions on the fly-leaf of an old law book, read 
them, and, in a speech of thrilling eloquence, so ably 
defended them, that they passed the House. They were 
cautiously circulated, till they reached New England, where 
they were fearlessly published in the newspapers. Speeches, 


CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 


99 


pamphlets, and sermons, against the odious measures, 
increased the popular excitement. 

193. The Sons (uid JDanghteps of Libertg were 
the names of organizations which had their origin in these 
patriotic times. The Daughters pledged themselves to buy 
no goods imported from England. They formed spinning 
societies, and wove all the cloth used in the families. At 
one spinning match a company of school - girls produced 
two hundred and thirty skeins of yarn as the result of the 
afternoon’s labor. 

The Sons made it their special business to frighten and 
drive away stamp officers. In some of the colonies these 
officials were compelled to resign, and the stamps were 
seized and burned. 

194. Political Parties were now formed for the 
first time in our country. Two great parties, Whigs and 
Tories, appeared. The Whigs were advocates of popular 
freedom, and even encouraged resistance to the laws of 
Parliament. 

The Tories were upholders of Parliamentary authority, 
and believed that the true interests of the country 
demanded a cheerful obedience to the commands of Eng¬ 
land. 

195. The excitement resulted in the meeting of the 
First Colonial Congress ^ which assembled in New 
York in 17G5. It was not a numerous body, being com¬ 
posed of only twenty-eight delegates from nine of the 
colonies ; but it was an imposing assembly, embracing the 
foremost men in the country. It remained in session only 
fourteen days; but it prepared three official papers whose 
spirit and principles were unmistakable. The first was a 
Declaration of Rights ; the second, a Memorial to Parlia¬ 
ment ; the third, a Petition to the King. 

These documents expressed attachment to the govern¬ 
ment of the parent country, urged the injustice of being 
taxed and at the same time unrepresented, and maintained 
that the advantage derived by England from the monopoly 





100 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


of the American trade was a sufficient contribution from 
the colonies to her treasury. 

196. The American merchants resolved to import 
no more goods till the measures were repealed. Associa¬ 
tions were formed for the encouragement of manufactures, 
and the people very generally agreed to wear garments 
made only of Ainerican cloth. The most wealthy men and 
women clothed themselves in homespun goods. There was 
no market for foreign luxuries, and the trade with England 
was nearly discontinued. The very children echoed the 
cry, “ Liberty, property, and no stamps ! ” 

197. Of course the sale of stamps was very slow. 
To avoid using them, proceedings in the courts were sus¬ 
pended, and differences were wisely settled by arbitration. 
Society was at a standstill. The stamp officers were 
nowhere to be found ; no stamps were on sale ; the royal 
governors did not dare to attempt the execution of the law ; 
and the Act never went into effect during the twelve 
months of its existence on the statute books of England. 

198. This opposition created great surprise and alarm 
in EnfflanH* The law was just such as has existed in 
Eno’land for several generations. It was such a law as has 
since been imposed in America by vote of the people. 
The colonists objected because it involved a principle. 
The British merchants, seeing their trade ruined, peti¬ 
tioned for a repeal. The friends of America were very 
numerous in England, and they strongly urged the same 
thing. William Pitt and Edmund Burke, two eminent 
statesmen, were advocates of the repeal. These efforts 
were successful. The joy in both countries was excessive and 
demonstrative. Good feeling revived and trade was resumed. 

199. great change in sentiment had taken place 
in the colonies concerning taxation. Before this the people 
had not objected to external taxation, as duties on imports, 
but only to iuternal taxation, as was imposed by the Stamp 
Act. They now objected to all taxation, basing their argu¬ 
ment on their non-representation in Parliament. 


CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 


101 


200. The right of taxation had not been relin¬ 
quished. The historian says: “ Wise princes, when forced 
to yield, do it with a grace that wins the populace.” This 
could never have been said of King George and his party, 
for when repealing the Stamp Act, it had been explicitly 
declared that Parliament had a right to bind the colonies in 
all cases whatsoever. This “right” was the very thing 
objected to. It was pithily said by John Adams, “ The right 
to take one pound implies the right to take a thousand.” 

201. Another Act was soon passed, laying a tax on 
tea, paints, lead, glass, and paper. The duty was soon 
removed from every thing except tea. Although the tax 
on this was reduced to six cents a pound, the sales of tea 
fell off, the non-importation societies were formed again, 
and the old spirit of resistance was aroused. 

202. The history of the colonies for the next eight 
geai*S may be summed up in the passage of odious meas¬ 
ures by Parliament, and remonstrance and evasion by the 
colonies. 

203. The first blood of the impending struggle was 
shed in New York. A riot occurred because the soldiers 
had cut down a liberty pole. One citizen was killed and 
several were wounded. 

204. Although the importation of tea was discon¬ 
tinued by the people, British merchants sent it at their own 
risk. In New York and Philadelphia the tea ships were 
not allowed to land their cargoes. In Charleston the tea 
was stored in damp cellars until it became worthless. 

In Boston, forty citizens, disguised as Indians, very 
quietly proceeded to the ship, broke open three hundred 
and forty chests of tea, and, in the presence of a large 
crowd, emptied their contents into the sea. As soon as the 
news of this audacious proceeding reached England, an Act 
was passed closing Boston port. These were the sad times 
of violence and retaliation. 

205. The Second Colonial Congress soon after 
met in Philadelphia, composed of delegates from all the 




/ 


102 the model history. 

colonies except Georgia, where the governor prevented 
their appointment. It was the most important body which 
had ever assembled in x4merica. It had authority to act 
for the colonies even to the declaration of war. It issued 
addresses to the king, to the English nation, and to the 
people of Canada. It reaffirmed the sentiment of non¬ 
importation of English goods, voted to encourage domes¬ 
tic manufactures, and resolved to remain in session 
from time to time till the odious measures were repealed. 

206. It was evident that a crisis was approaching. 
For several years British soldiers had been stationed at 
various places ; and now the British General Gage seized 
the military stores in the provincial arsenals, and fortified 
advantageous positions near Boston. Parliament voted 
that a rebellion existed in Massachusetts and was encour¬ 
aged by the other colonies. Ten thousand more troops 
were ordered to America. 

207. The preparation in the colonies was active. 
In Massachusetts a committee of safety was appointed, and 
the volunteer militia were ordered to train and be ready to 
march on a minute’s notice. Twenty thousand pounds were 
voted to pay for their equipment. In Virginia Washing¬ 
ton was organizing the militia, and Patrick Henry was 
exclaiming, “ I repeat it, we must fight! ” 

208. The Tories lov^ed their country as truly as the 
advocates of resistance. They were generally the rich and 
prosperous men, and those who held office under the British 
government. They believed that the colonies were too 
weak to oppose England, and that it would be better to 
submit than to resist. Many of them, with tearful eyes, 
tried to persuade the Whigs to listen to reason. Their 
opinions were at first opposed by argument; they then 
became unpopular and hateful; and finally were regarded 
as treason. Many of these Tories afterward changed their 
opinions ; others went to England and the other British 
provinces ; others joined the royal armies to fight against 
their country. 


THE REVOLUTION. 


103 


209. The Tories rightly said that the VCSOlve of 
King G-eorge was to make the colonies submit. It was 
the old contest of argument against obstinacy. It was 
popular aspirations against kingly pride. Neither the 
moderation of Congress, nor the diplomacy of Franklin, 
nor the forbearance of the people, nor the statesmanship of 
Pitt and his associates, could avert the determination of the 
king and his party to coerce the colonies. Sorrowfully and 
prophetically Washington wrote: “More blood will be 
shed than history has yet furnished instances of in the 
annals of North America.” 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE REVOLUTION. 

1775. 

• 210. The opening of hostilities soon followed. 
One midnight a regiment of British soldiers was ordered 
by General Gage to destroy some military stores collected 
at Concord, a small town near Boston. The design was 
anticipated by the wary colonists, and a light was raised 
in the belfry of the old North Church as a signal to 
the surrounding country. Swift messengers rode all night, 
arousing village and farm house for miles around. Long¬ 
fellow’s poem, “ Paul Revere’s Ride,” was founded on this 
incident. 

211. At Lexington the troops found a party of min¬ 
ute-men collected on a green. “ Disperse, ye rebels,” cried 
the leader of the British. No one moving, he ordered his 
men to fire. Seven of the patriots were killed and nine 
were wounded. 

The troops then marched to Concord, destroyed such 
stores as could be found, threw a small quantity of ammu¬ 
nition into a mill-pond, and began a retreat. The minute- 
men were pouring in from all quarters, and the retreat soon 
became a rout. Hidden behind trees, rocks, fences, and 
barns, the provincial soldiers poured in a constant fire upon 




104 


THE MODEL IITSTORY. 


the ranks of the running enemy. This bush-fighting and 
chase continued till the panting regulars found refuge in 
Boston. 

The losses in this memorable skirmish were small, the 
Americans losing eighty-eight, and the British two hundred 
and seventy-three ; but the significance of the event could 
not be measured by the number who fell. It meant Ameri¬ 
can Independence. 

212. The effect was great and immediate. As the 
news flew through the colonies a tide of aroused men 
poured to the seat of war. Horses were taken from the 
field and mounted by men who rode them till they dropped 
dead, and within a few days twenty thousand provincial 
soldiers had invested Boston. 

213. As another result of the startling news from Lex¬ 
ington, the AlecMenburg Declaration was passed 
by delegates from the various counties of North Carolina 
assembled at Charlotte, in Mecklenburg County. It was a 
declaration of independence, and preceded the Declaration 
at Philadelphia more than a year. 

— Tr^ll arrivals of British troops under Gen¬ 
erals HoweT^^^mtoiijmid Burgoyne, placed twelve thou¬ 
sand veterans at the ^mmand of Gage. He resolved on 
active operations. 

215. The Battle of Bunker Hill soon followed. 
In order to stop the land outlet from Boston, fifteen hun¬ 
dred New England troops under General Prescott one night 
silently fortified the high ground in the rear of Charles¬ 
town. Having fired this place, the British made two assaults, 
which were severely repulsed. At the third attack, the 
ammunition of the Americans gave out, and the enemy 
carried the rude line of defences. Bunker Hill became a 
dearly bought English victory. The battle was witnessed 
by thousands of people from the house-tops of Boston and 
from burning Charlestown. 

216. The Third Colonial Congress met in Phila¬ 
delphia according to previous agreement, and by common 


THE REVOLUTION. 


105 



TO ILLUSTRATE THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGNS OF THE REVOLUTION 































106 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


consent assumed authority to act in all cases for “The 
United Colonies.” It passed resolutions declaring a strong 
desire for peace, and denying a wish to throw off allegiance 
to England. At the same time it voted that the colonies 
should be prepared for war, and would never submit to 
taxation without representation. It voted to raise and 
equip an army of twenty thousand men, and authorized an 
issue of one million dollars in paper money. 

217. John Adams made a powerful address on the 
choice of a commander-ln^^^ closed by 

nominating George Washington, of 
Virginia. As soon as his name was 
mentioned, Washington arose and 
left the hall. He was overpowered 
by the responsibility about to be 
placed upon him, and, with tears in 
his eyes, he remarked to Patrick 
Henry, “ I fear this day will mark 
the downfall of my rej^utation.” 

218. Washington entered atonce 
upon the auchavifc of his du¬ 
ties, His journey to Boston was 
one continued ovation : every where he was greeted with 
cheers and benedictions. He reached the seat of war two 
weeks after the battle of Bunker Hill, and next morning 
took command. He found fifteen thousand undisciplined'', 
insubordinate, and poorly equipped militia, encamped on 
Cambridge common. Some degree of system and regu¬ 
larity was soon introduced, and arrangements were made 
for the manufacture of gunpowder. Several ships laden 
with this article and intended for the British army, were 
soon after captured, affording a seasonable supply to the 
colonial troops. 

219. Four Major Generals were appointed to aid 
Washington. The first was Artemas Ward, one of Massa- 
chusetts’s favorite soldiers. The second was Cliarles Lee, 
of Virginia, a man possessing brilliant but superficial quail- 



THE REVOLUTION. 


107 


ties, enjoying the society of British officers, and without 
much love for liberty or the cause of his country. The 
third, Philip Schuyler, of New York, was a man of patriot¬ 
ism, but without military qualities or experience. The 
fourth was Israel Putnam, of Connecticut, wliose adven¬ 
tures and dashing career had won him a reputation for 
bravery. Horatio Gates was chosen Adjutant General. 
“ The colonies took up arms with only one general officer 
who drew to himself the love and trust of the country, with 
not one of the next five below liim fit to give him efficient 
aid or to succeed to his place.” 

220. The (lifficnlties to be surmounted were appal¬ 
ling. They were of two kinds : 

First. In the colonial army there was no lack of valor, 
of patriotism, and, at first, of men. But the enthusiastic 
multitudes who rushed to the contest, although intelligent 
men and good marksmen, were ignorant of field movements 
and the whole art of war. They were to resist a disci¬ 
plined force largely superior in numbers and trained on 
the battle-fields of Europe by the best generals of the age. 

Second. The authority of Washington was greatly 
restricted. He could not choose his subordinate officers, 
he was dependent upon voluntary enlistments for his troops, 
and Congress more than once interfered with his plans. 
The colonies were not accustomed to unity of action. They 
were only united in the common impulse to resistance. 
The habit of subordination and the unquestioning obedi¬ 
ence so necessary in war, were new. 

From this source sprang those sad and almost fatal con¬ 
flicts of authority which were continually arising. It is 
not at all strange that the friends of 2 :>opular freedom in 
Europe regarded the issue with doubt, and welcomed suc¬ 
cess as an unexpected triumph. 

221. An in vasion of Canada was first planned to 
prevent a union of the British forces there with those on 
the coast. It was intrusted to Generals Richard Mont¬ 
gomery and Benedict Arnold. After a march of great 




108 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


difficulty, Montreal was taken. An attack on Quebec was 
repulsed with heavy loss, including Montgomery. The 
remnant spent a miserable winter in fortifications of snow. 
When spring came they were driven back to the colonies. 
The expedition was a total failure. 

222 . A j)OSt((I st/steai was adopted by Congress 
during the third session, and Benjamin Franklin was re-ap¬ 
pointed Postmaster General, with power to appoint depu¬ 
ties to carry mails from Maine to Georgia, with as many 
cross lines as might seem fit. He made a grand tour of the 
country in a chaise, maturing the plan. It took five months 
to make the trip, which could now be accomplished in as 
many days. This was the beginning of the mail service 
of the nation. 

223. Each of the three Colonial Congresses had 

O 

addressed petitions to their monarch, and now, for six 
months. Congress had been waiting for tJte ffHSiVev of 
Kiiiff Cx€(>r(je to their third and last appeal. There sat 
John Adams, Samuel Adams, Franklin, Patrick Henry, and 
Jefferson. The colonies were still loyal to the British 
Crown. It was a time of hesitancy and uncertainty. 

At last the message came. It was such a reply as 
George HI and his party would make to the petitions for 
human rights. He did not know any such a body as the 
Colonial Congress. He insisted on the right of taxation, 
spurned the idea of representation, and demanded disarm¬ 
ament and submission. Unconditional submission was the 
only passport to his favor. Congress and the nation saw 
that the day of iridependence had come. 


RE VIE IF. 

CHAPTER T. 

Two great Charters issued by King James.—Jamestown is founded 
by a party of “ gentlemen.”— They take the gold fever.— John Smith 
sets them to work.—Tobacco culture begins.—Slaves needed and 
bought to till the fields.— The young women come to make homes 


HE VIEW. 


109 


for the colonists.— The people troiihled hy Indian massacres.— The 
Virginians pass some strange laws. 

The Puritans come to ^Massachusetts.— They sutler greatly.— They 
are welcomed hy the Indians.— Are very strict in religion.— Roger 
AVilliams makes trouble in the church.— Anne Hutcliinson reasons 
well and is driven awa}^—Tlie Quakers are persecuted.— Finally 
King Philip’s AVar throws New England into alarm.— But the 
Indians are exterminated in the Swamp Fight.— The ministers quar¬ 
rel, and Salem hangs twenty witches. 

The Dutch found New York.— They set up the Patroons.— The 
English take possession in spite of Headstrong Peter.— The Negro 
Plot creates a panic. 

New Hampshire tinally becomes able to take care of itself. 

The Catholics find an asylum in Alaryland.— Its advancement is 
very rapid.— Till its atiairs are deranged by religious quarrels. 

Alassachirsetts sends out a colony to Connecticut.— AA^'ho are obliged 
soon after to wage the Pequod AVar.— They then live in peace. 

AVilliams and his friends settle at Providence.— They set up the 
first democracy in America. 

The Grand Model is tried in Carolina.— Rice is first cultivated.— 
The colony is finally divided. 

The English found New Jersey.— It soon becomes a Quaker colony. 
— And has a peaceful career. 

AVilliam Penn founds Pennsylvania.—He keeps peace with the 
Indians.— And the colony grows rapidly. 

Delaware finally separates from Pennsylvania. 

Oglethorpe brings a colony of paupers to Georgia.— And manages 
its affairs for ten years.— He prohibits slavery and rum. 

The colonies furnish examples of five kinds of colonial government. 

The period of colonial foundation varies from six months to sixty 
years. 

CHAPTER II. 

The rate of settlements is hindered.— Slavery flourishes in all the 
colonies.— The Indians are harshly treated from the beginning.— 
This produces endless trouble and bloodshed.—John Eliot, the Indian 
apostle, organizes thirty churches among them.— The character of the 
Puritans delineated.— The public-school system is founded.— Form 
of church service described.— Examples of the Blue Laws.—r A lazy 
farmer greatly stimulates agriculture.— Character of the colonial pro¬ 
ductions.—The colonies use many kinds of money.—Their simple 
mode of life.—The people feel the weight of British oppression.— 
AVhitefield and AA^esley visit the colonies. 



110 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


CHAPTER III. 

Five powers struggle for America.—The war is caused by the 
rivaling claims.— Washington appears in history. —The colonies 
unite in the war.—The lirst year ends in failure.—The second does 
not belter affairs.—The third results in some success.— And the fourth 
ends the war to the satisfaction of England and her colonies.— It 
becomes a training school for the Revolution. 

CHAPTER IV. 

During the interval the people study politics.—And begin to think 
of uniting in one government.— Sketch of progress in agriculture.— 
Origin of the cotton culture.—Sketch of colonial manufactures.— 
Postal accommodations.— Dress of the New Englander.— Introduc¬ 
tion of new customs.—Freedom of the press is established.—Progress 
in printing. Education flourishes in New England and languishes 
in the .southern colonies.— Sketch of the nine colonial colleges.— 
Colonial libraries.— Sketch of Jonathan Edwards.— Of Benjamin 
Franklin.—Of James Otis.— Of Patrick Henry. 


CHAPTER V. 

The real causes of the Revolution enumerated.— Scope and effect 
of the Navigation Acts.—The Writs of Assistance give offense to the 
colonies.— The Stamp Act and the Quartering Act increase this feel¬ 
ing.—Patrick Henry makes a sensation in Virginia.—Political par¬ 
ties are first formed.—Acts of the First Colonial Congress._Non¬ 
importation societies are formed.— The sale of stamps is very slow._ 

The act is lepealed. But a lax is placed '^on tea.— Boston has a tea 
party.— Convention of the Second Colonial Congress.— The colonies 
prepare for war.— What the Tories thought.— King George is evi- 
dently intent on crushing resistance. 


CHAPTER VI. 

Hostilities open at Lexington.—Whereat there is a great uprising. 
— And independence is declared in Carolina.— Battle of Bunker Hill 
is tought—The Third Colonial Congress chooses Washington as 
commander.—He is assisted by four major-generals.—The soldiers 
are brav.e but undisciplined.—Montgomery and Arnold invade Can¬ 
ada.— The reply of the English king puts aside all idea of peace. 


CONTEMPORARY EVENTS. 


Ill 


TABLE OF CONTEMPORARY EVENTS IN 
EUROPEAN HISTORY. 

1607-1776. 

In Europe this was a peviod of reaction. There 
was a backward movement in both religion and govern¬ 
ment. The grand and successful struggle for republican 
freedom in the Netherlands was followed by the pitiless 
tyranny of the House of the Hapsburgs. The constitutional 
government of Queen Elizabeth, conceding important popu¬ 
lar rights, was followed by the despotic reign of the Stuarts, 
in Great Britain. The long battle for religious freedom in 
France, ending in triumph with the Edict ol Nantes, was 
followed by the intense absolutism of Richelieu and Maza- 
rin. The Reformation had succeeded throughout Europe, 
except in Spain and Italy, where the Inquisition crushed out 
reform. But in the midst of its success Protestantism 
began to fall into formalism and to split into opposing 
factions. “Reformers sought the corrupting alliances of 
the state, and religion was made subordinate to politics.” 

On the other hand, there was an era of splendid intellect¬ 
ual progress. Bacon, Descartes, Locke, and Montesquieu 
in philosophy; Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Leibnitz in 
physical science; Shakespeare, Milton, Johnson, Rollin, 
Racine, and Corneille in literature; and Jansenius, Pascal, 
Fenelon, Fox, Bunyan, Wesley, and Whitefield in divinity, 
pushed the sphere of knowledge far beyond the range of 
ancient thought, and prepared the way for still grander 
achievements in our own century. 

In America the period was one of steady progress. 
The reactions and oppressions of Europe drove out many 
liberty-loving souls, who found here the freedom denied 
them beyond the Atlantic. “It was as if God, having 
matured the seed for a new civilization, had now permitted 
it to be rudely shaken from the European tree.’ During 




112 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


this long period, as we have seen, the Atlantic coast was 
being lined with happy and growing colonies, eventually 
to be moulded into nationality. 

1(310. The thermometer invented in Germany bv Drebel. 
1611. Completion of the authorized version of the Bible 
by order of King James. 

1616 William Shakespeare, the great dramatic poet. 

1618. Sir Walter Raleigh beheaded. Beginning of the 
Thirty Years’ War. 

1626. Death of Francis Bacon, philosopher. His writings 
changed the current of human thought. 

1628. The circulation of the blood discovered in England 
by Harvey. 

1631. First French journal —the Gazette of France. 

1640. The Long Parliament convened in England. Charles’s 

reign was one long battle with his subjects. 

1641. Coffee first brouo-ht to England. 

1648. The Peace of Westphalia readjusted the map of 

Europe, ended the Thirty Years’ War, and first 
promulgated the doctrine of “the balance of 
power,” which became the basis of modern Euro¬ 
pean politics. 

1649. Execution of Charles I. 

1650. Sect of Friends, or “Quakers,” founded in England 

by George Fox. 

1654. The air-pump and electrical machine invented in 
Germany by Guericke. 

1660. Founding of the Royal Society in London, and the 
Academy of Arts in Paris. 

1665. The Plague in London carried off 100,000 victims. 

1666. A great fire in London laid waste two-thirds of the 

city. Tea first used in England. 

1679. Habeas Corpus Act passed in England to protect 
citizens against illegal imprisonment. 

1683. Discovery of the supposed Rye House Plot for the 
assassination of King Charles II. 



GONTEMPOHAUY EVENTS. 


113 


1684. Rise of the two great parties in England, the Whigs 

and the Tories. The former was the party of 
popular liberty, denying the divine right of kings. 
Tories were the supporters of kingly authority. 
The contest between them was long and bitter. 

1685. The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes let loose 

fresh terrors of persecution upon the French 
Protestants. 

1694. Bank of England established. 

1707. England and Scotland united under the title of Great 
Britain. 

1720. Bursting of the South Sea Bubble. 

1725. Stereotype printing invented by Ged, a goldsmith 
of Edinburgh. 

1727. Death of Sir Isaac Newton, the great physical phil¬ 
osopher, who founded the modern system of phil¬ 
osophy and physics. 

1729. Sect of the Methodists founded at Oxford by the 
Wesleys. 

1753. British Museum founded. 

1757. Lord Clive took Calcutta and laid the foundation of 
the English empire in India. 

1763. End of the Seven Years’ War. 

[ 1769. Invention of the spinning-jenny by Arkwright. 

1770. Lord North became prime minister of England. 
He was the ready servant of George III. 




PERIOD lY. 


NA TIONALIT Y. 

FROM THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO THE 

PRESENT TIME, 

1776-1878 


[Authorities and References.— Hildreth’s ‘•History United States” to 
1820.—Bryant and Gay’s “ History United States ” to 1878.—Bossing’s “Field-Book 
of the Revolution.”— Wilson’s " Rise and Fall of the Slave Power.”— Parton’s “Jef¬ 
ferson,” “Burr,” “Greeley,” “ Franklin,” and “Jackson.”—Lossing’s “Field-Book 
of the War of 1812.”—Benton’s “Thirty Years’View.”—Mayer’s “History of the 
Mexican War.”—Moore’s "Rebellion Record.”—Greeley’s “American Conflict.”— 
Pollard’s “Lost Cause.” —Thayer’s “Youth’s History of the Rebellion.'”— 
Duyckinck’s" American Literature.”—Bancroft’s “History U. S.” to close of Revo¬ 
lution.—Appleton’s, Johnson’s and Chamber’s Cyclopedias.—h'or the English view 
of the Revolution, see Stanhope’s ’‘History of England from Peace of Utrecht,”— 
Irving’s “ Washington.”-Parker’s “Historic Americans.”—Adams’s “Life of John 
Adams,” and “John Adams’s Diary.”—Spark’s “American Biography.”—Cooper’s 
“History of the Navy.”—Griswold’s “Court of Washington.”—Giddings’s “Exiles 
of Florida.”—Webb’s and Redpath’s “ John Brown.”—Dunlop’s “History of Art 
and Design in America.”—•* Lewis and Clarke’s Expedition.”—Pierce’s “Charles 
Sumner.”—Draper’s "American Civil War.”-Story, Towle, or Alden on Constitu¬ 
tion of the U. S. —Renwick’s “Hamilton.” —Rives’s “Madison.”—Mansfield’s 
“Scott.” —Colden’s “Fulton.” —Jenkins’s “Calhoun.”—Sargent’s “Clay.”—Curtis’s 
“Webster.’’-Powell’s “Taylor.’’-Hall’s or Dawson’s “Harrison.” —Chase’s “Ad¬ 
ministration of Polk.”-Stowe’s “Men of our Time.”-Holland’s and Raymond’s 
“Lincoln.”—Adams’s “Life of J. Q. Adams.”] 


CHAPTER I. 

INDEPENDENCE AND REVOLUTION. 

1776 . 

1. It is important to understand the nature of the 
Revoliitionari/ f/ovemnient. The Second Colonial 
Congress had resolved to remain in session, from time to 
time, till the odious measures were repealed. This was 
done. Delegates to Congress were voluntarily chosen bv 
the colonies, some by the legislatures, and some by the 
jieople, and this irregular association of the States consti- 

114 





INDEPENDENCE AND REVOLUTION. 


115 


tuted the national government till near the close of the 
Revolution. The powers of Congress were nowhere 
defined or limited. It did whatever seemed best, and its 
acts were approved by the people. Of necessity it assumed 
arbitrary and revolutionary powers. 

2. The idea of independence was of very slow 
growth. More than ten years had elapsed from the passage 
of the Stamp Act to the Declaration. It was not till blood 
had been shed at Lexington and Bunker Hill, that the popu¬ 
lar mind welcomed separation from England. Thousands 
of additional troops and millions of money were voted by 
Parliament to crush the rebellion of the colonies. The 
people urged the general assemblies, and the legislatures 
urged Congress, to assert Independence. 

3. A Hesolation offered in Congress by Richard 
Henry Lee, on the 7th of June, embraced three subjects — 
a declaration of independence, a confederation of the States, 
and treaties with foreign powers. It was in the following 
words : 

“ Resolved, that the United Colonies are, and of right 
ought to be, free and independent States; that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown; and that 
all political connection between them and Great Britain is, 
and ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient 
forthwith to take the most effective measures for forming 
foreign alliances. That a plan of Confederation be pro¬ 
posed and transmitted to the respective colonies for their 
consideration and approbation.” 

4. It was known that Conffress was not pre¬ 
pared, to vote such a radical sentiment. Many in that 
brave assembly could see nothing but calamity in declaring 
a separation from England. Beside, every man knew that 
in voting for it he was risking a swing on the gallows. 

Congress sat with closed doors, and no report has ever 
been made of the grave and exciting debate during the 
time the resolution was pending. Not a single speech 
then delivered is now in existence; but the arguments in 






116 


THE MODEL HISTORY 


favor of independence prevailed, and many doubters were 
convinced. 

5. Meanwhile a committee of five was appointed to pre¬ 
pare a formal declaration^ and be ready to report 
when Lee’s resolution was brought up for the vote. Thomas 
Jelferson was made chairman, and the special labor of pre¬ 
paring the paper fell upon him. The original resolution 
was made the order for the 1st of July. The debate con¬ 
tinued during the 2d, the 3d, and till five o’clock on the 
4th of July. The Declaration of American Independence 
from the pen of Jelferson was then passed, with a few addi¬ 
tions and erasures, by a unanimous vote. It still remained 
for the Thirteen Colonies to make good their claim of sov¬ 
ereignty by the labors of camp and court. 

6. The reception of the Declaration was most 
cordial. It was commended by the- general assemblies, 
cheered by every brigade in the army, welcomed by the 
people, and praised by the friends of freedom in Europe. 
“ It was received more like a song of triumph than a call to 
battle.” Its effect was to give a definite aim to the war, 
and to greatly increase the interest in the cause. 

7. Its reception in England was very different. 
Parliament j)roiiounoed the Americans rebels and outlaws, 
prohibited all intercourse with them, ignored their civil 
existence, and placed the entire country under military 
law. All American ports were declared closed, and prison- 
ships, and irons, were to be the fate of all those taken in 
arms. 

8. The Eritish forces in the war were drawn from 
three sources: 

First. Troops were voted for service in America to be 
taken from the standing army of England, and to be 
enrolled by voluntary enlistment. 

Second. By a treaty with one or two small German 
States., seventeen thousand Hessians were hired to come 
across the Atlantic to fight in America. 

Third. The English relied upon making allies of the 


INDEPENDENCE AND REVOLUTION. 


117 


Indians. By the influence of British gold they were very 
successful, and the barbarous mode of warfare thus inau¬ 
gurated was persisted in to the very end. 

9. The ca}Hl)ai(fns of the year were three in num¬ 
ber: The Siege of Boston; the Siege of Charleston; and 
Washington’s operations in New York and New Jersey. 

10. The first was successful. The British army had 
spent the winter, close prisoners, in Boston. With a 
view of forcing the enemy into battle or driving him out 
to sea, Washington fortified, one night, the heights com¬ 
manding the city. The English general saw his danger. 
He hastily lifted his anchors and spread his sails for Halifax. 

11. The second was favorable to the Americans. A 
British fleet attacked Charleston and its defenses. After 
a long bombardment the attempt was given up. 

12. The third was a failure. Howe, who had super¬ 
seded Gage, returned from Halifax to New York with 
largely increased forces. He now had thirty thousand 
men. General Putnam was sent to resist the advance to 
Brooklyn. The Battle of Long Island was fought, 
in which the Americans were defeated, with a loss of nearly 
two thousand. 

13. The retreat of Washington was very skill¬ 
fully managed. During a foggy night he silently withdrew 
his army to New York, thence northward, followed by the 
enemy. As soon as he saw Howe’s plan to threaten Phila¬ 
delphia, where Congress was sitting, he left seven thousand 
men under Lee, and retreated southward. The British, 
with heavy loss, took Forts Washington and Lee on the 
Hudson, and then a well-appointed detachment under Lord 
Charles Cornwallis, the ablest British general who took part 
in the war, started in pursuit of Washington. 

14. On Christmas night Washington crossed the Dela¬ 
ware, marched to Trenton^ and surprised a body of Hes¬ 
sians, who were sleeping olf the effects of their holiday 
debauch. He took a thousand prisoners. A few days 
afterward, by a brilliant dash to the rear of Cornwallis’s 




118 


THE MODEL HISTORY. * 


army, he defeated a regiment at Princeton, and came off 
loaded with prisoners and military stores. 

These sudden strokes were the only successes attendino- 
the operations of this critical time. They strengthened the 
Americans for future battle; they reversed the judgment 
of foreign nations on the prospects of success, and made it 
easier to gam allies to the patriot cause. They showed 
W ashington to be a brave yet prudent general, and secured 
the conhdence of the nation. 


15. But the result of the campaiqtis, in most 
respects, was very unfavorable to the cause of independ¬ 
ence. Beside the losses in battle, the soldiers were poorly 
fed and clothed, and large numbers, being discouraged by 
continual retreat, and allured by the pleasures of home, 
deserted the army. By the expiration of the term of enlist¬ 
ment many regiments were disbanded at the very time 
when their services were most needed. Questions of rank 
and precedence were continually arising, and no vio-orous 
measures were taken by Congress to equip a force able to 
resist the attack of a single hostile division. 

The flight of Congress from Philadelphia to Baltimore 
at the approach of the British, had a very depressing effect! 
The paper money issued by Congress had so far depreciated 
that It was no longer acceptable as pay to the soldiers, and 
Washington, with other leading patriots, pledged his pri¬ 
vate fortune to raise specie to pay the suffering troops 

16. prisoners taken by the British were carried 
to New York, and placed in loathsome prison-ships in the 
harbor, where they experienced intense suffering from want 
of fire, clothing, food, and medicine. Large numbers died 
in captivity when they might have had freedom by accept¬ 
ing the pardon offered by the British commander and join¬ 
ing the royal party. These sufferings resulted partly from 
inhuman treatment, but chiefly from the nefflect and rigor 
which IS always a part of war. After Washington’s vie- 

mTJilr •” •"'“"S' 


INDEPENDENCE AND HEVOLUTION. 


119 


17. Washington’s army went into winter quarters 
at Morristown. The British spent the winter at New 
Brunswick. 

1777. 

18. The 2)0leers of IVashington were greatly 
enlarged by Congress during the winter. He had shown 
himself to be the proper man for the supreme command, 
and he was authorized to enlist men from the entire coun¬ 
try. He could displace all incompetent officers and appoint 
new ones to the rank of brigadier general. He could arrest 
troublesome persons, and take supplies for the use of the 
army at a just valuation. He thus became in fact, what he. 
had been only in name, Commander-in-Chief. 

19. He was busily engaged, durlnq the winter^ in 
recruiting his army, and wdien spring came he had ten 
thousand men in his command. “ Good news from the Jer¬ 
seys,” became an inspiring proverb. The timid became 
brave, and from all quarters armed men came flocking in. 

The British ceased to sneer about the “ mob of un-uni- 
formed rebels,” and began to dread the man wdio could play 
about and outgeneral their best commanders. British offi¬ 
cers, who were held as prisoners in the American camp, 
wrote home: “ It will be hard — yes, impossible — to con¬ 
quer such men.” Frederick the Great, of Prussia, said : 
“ This young American general is opening a new chapter 
in the art of war. England has no man to match him.” 

20. During the winter session of the legislatures State 
Const it at tons were adopted in all the States. These 
differed greatly, but they all embraced the essential prin¬ 
ciples of a republican form of government. 

21. Wash in qtOtCs jjolicij was now fully developed. 
He did not risk a battle in an open field, with a force supe¬ 
rior to his own, where defeat would be ruinous, but he 
harassed the enemy by unexpected attacks, flank move¬ 
ments, countermarches, and ambuscades. In this he imi¬ 
tated the ancient Roman general, Fabius. He was there¬ 
fore called the American Fabius. 





120 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


22. The emnpaifjns of the year were two m num¬ 
ber: The invasion of northern New York by the British; 
and the operations of Washington in New Jersey and Penn¬ 
sylvania. 

23. The former was a brilliant success for the 
Americans. With a force of ten thousand the British gen¬ 
eral, Charles Burgoyne, invaded New York from Canada, 
with a view of holding the Hudson River, and thus sepa¬ 
rating New England from the Middle States. The Ameri¬ 
cans under Greneral Grates fell back, abandoning their stores 
and fortified places, felling trees, and burning bridges, 
behind them. 

24. Meanwhile a body of British, sent to destroy stores 

at totally defeated by a regiment of 

militia under the dashing, rough-and-ready Colonel John 
Stark. A saying of his, as he dashed into the battle,, has 
become quite famous: “Boys, we conquer to-day, or Betsy 
Stark is a widow.”* 

On the same day another body was defeated by Colonel 
Seth Warner and his “Green Mountain Boys.” Congress 
passed a vote of thanks to the soldiers thus engaged%nd 
made Stark a brigadier general in the regular army. 

25. A general engagement soon came on at Stillwa¬ 
ter. The army of Gates was in excellent condition, and 
was the strongest American force ever collected in one 
command during the Revolution. The battle was severe, 
and both sides claimed the victory. Night closed the fight; 
and for two weeks the armies lay within cannon shot of 
each other. 


26. The second hattle of Stillwater then fol¬ 
lowed. Burgoyne fought bravely against superior numbers, 
but was every where repulsed. His personal bravery 
amounted almost to recklessness. After spending several 
days in attempts to escape, he surrendered his army, num¬ 
bering six thousand men, beside seven thousand stand of 
arms, a fine train of artillery, and a large supply of tents, 

•Stark’s wife was named Elizabeth, and not Mary, or Mollie as lias bepn srt 
often stated. She was the daughter of Caleb Page, and married StaA Aug. 20 1758. 


INDEPENDENCE AND REVOTMTION. 


121 


clothing, and other stores. These were greatly needed by 
the Americans. 

2?. TIiS Idttev was a total failure. Howe left his 
quarters at Brunswick with eighteen thousand men, and, 
embarking in his transports, sailed up the Chesapeake Bay. 
Washington anticipated his design, and went to the defense 
of the national capital. It was insisted by members of 
Congress that ^yashington should risk a general engage¬ 
ment. He therefore proceeded southward to 
(vine creek, where the armies met, and a battle was fought. 
The Americans were defeated with a loss of twelve hun¬ 
dred, and their retreat left the i-oad open to Philadelphia. 
Congress adjourned to York, carrying all the public i-ecords, 
and the British marched into the city. 

28. Soon afterward Washington formed a design to 
atta'k a portion of Howe’s army stationed at CrePUKHl- 
toivn. After a stubborn contest, the Americans were 
again defeated, with about the same loss as before. 

29. The sue^eess of Hotre had cost dearly in time 
and men. It required all summer to take the capital, and 
he was detained a whole month, in a march of fifty miles, 
by the ceaseless strategy of Washington. He clearly saw 
that his tardy success would cost him his commis.sion as 
commander-in-chief. 

30. The armies now went into whlfev qilftvfevs — 
Howe at Philadel])hia, and Washington at Valley Forge. 

31. The effect of the eampil lljm^ was very marked. 
With the ])atriots the feeling was rather one of confidence, 
though good fortune and bad had been so evenly mixed. 
The Tories, who had been loud and numerous in the spring, 
now became silent and dejected. i\Ien began to treat Tory¬ 
ism, not as a mere opinion, but as treason. In Europe, 
public indignation was aroused against the barbarous policy 
of forcing German ]:)easants into the British service, to fight 
in a foreign land. Because France and Spain hated Eng- 

j land, their sympathies were strongly enlisted in favor of 
I independence. 

6 






122 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


32. The LiJpeval Pfivty hi JEn ffldHxl ,, although 
saddened at the slaughter ot their countrymen, acknowl¬ 
edged a strong sympathy for the Americans. In a speech 
on the war, the Earl of Chatham uttered the memorable 
words: “If I were an American as I am an Englishman, 
while a single foreign troop remained in my country, I would 
never lay down my arms; never, never, never.” Burke 
plead for “an agreement with the Americans on the best 
terms we can make.” Fox said, “I do not fear the conse¬ 
quences of their independence.” 

33. Offers of imvHon were published by Howe to 
all soldiers who would lay down their arms and take the 
oath of allegiance to England. Citizens were encouraged 
to accept his protection, or take the oath, and Toryism was 
cultivated to weaken the American cause. Thousands of 
people, all over the country, accepted these terms. When 
Washington saw his movements revealed to the enemy, and 
his operations hindered, he struck terror into the Tory heart 
by this positive order: “All persons who have accepted 
British protection shall withdraw within the enemy’s lines, 
or take the oath of allegiance to the United States of 
America.” 

34. During the summer a young nobleman of France, 
titled Marquis of La Faijette, but whose real name 

was Gilbert Motier, came over and 
joined the American cause. The 
king withheld his consent to his 
plan, the British minister protested, 
and his friends pictured to him the 
brilliant career which his talents 
and large fortune would open to 
him in his own country. He pro¬ 
cured a vessel, eluded the officers, 
and landed on the coast of South 
Carolina. Here he purchased horses, 
and, with six companions, rode to 
Philadelphia, and offered his ser- 





INDEPENDENCE AND REVOLUTION. 


123 


voices to Congress. He joined the army as a volunteer, but 
was soon made a major general. Although only nineteen 
years ol age, he soon became the trusted companion of 
M ashington. He rendered invaluable service to the cause 
of independence, and was admired and beloved by the 
army. 

35. The whiter fit Valley Fovye was gloomy in the 
extreme — the darkest of the war. The army was discouraged 
by continual defeat and retreat. It was poorly clad, ill-fed, 
and unpaid. More than half the soldiers were barefooted; 
and bloody footste 2 :)s marked their route to the spot. The 
paper money had so far lost its value that the })ay of an 
officer would not procure him the necessities of life, and it 
required six months’ pay to enable a soldier to buy a pair 
of boots. It was the darkest day in Washington’s life. 
Congress, in a measure, abandoned him, and many people 
blamed him. “ It seems almost incredible that there could 
have been enough patriotism in the breasts of any body 
of men to stand by a cause so deeply and so sorely 
tried.” 

3G. Meanwhile the Couway cabal was hatched in 
Congress. It was a shameless plot to remove Washington 
and to appoint Gates to the supreme command. When it 
became known, the indignation of the army and people 
was so great that those who were active in the scheme sank 
away into silence or denial. 

37. No sooner was the Declaration passed and provision 
made for the immediate public safety, than Congress began 
to devise means for a permanent union of all the States 
under a general government. Thus far the States had vol¬ 
untarily associated together in Congress under the cement¬ 
ing influence of a common cause. But it was foreseen 
that when independence had been attained and peace had 
returned, rivalries, and jealousies, and differing local inter¬ 
ests, would soon sever the cominon attachment, and bring 
on a condition dangerous to peace and ]:)rosperity. 

A plan for a “ perpetual union ” was proposed by Con- 





124 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


gress ill the Articles of Conjed- 
eratioil. This was irmnediately sub¬ 
mitted to tlie States, when delays and 
oljjections arose; and as the government 
was not to go into elFect till the consent 
ol all the States should be obtained, 
tlie Confederation was not finally adopted 
till four years later — two years before 
the end of the Revolution. 

38. Congress also adopted the Stars 
and Stripes as the national flag. Jt 
declared “ that the flag of the thirteen 
United StatQs shall be thirteen stripes 
of alternate red and white, and the 
union be thirteen white stars on a blue field.” 

Vt78. 

39. A joyful event was the alliance with France. 
Commissioners, headed by the venerable philosopher, Ben¬ 
jamin Franklin, had been in Europe, chiefly at Paris, for 
more than a year, endeavoring to conclude treaties of friend- ^ 
ship and defense with the powers of the continent. France i 
happened to be at peace with England, and, although verv j 
wdling to see that country lose its provinces, it was regarded | 
as a very serious thing to interfere in behalf of rebellious j 
colonies, winch, it was supposed, would soon be conquered, | 
and thereby bring on a conflict with her ancient enemy! 
The entire French nation treated Franklin with the utmost 
respect and admiration. He was a man of most persuasive 
manners and great majesty of intellect. He was regarded 
in Europe as the greatest man America had produced. I 
It should always be remembered that one of the severest j 
and most important battles of the Revolution was fouo-ht 
by Franklin in the cabinet of the French king. He won 
the victory. When the news of Burgoyne’s surrender 
reached Europe, Franklin was informed that the nation was 
ready to aid the Americans. A treaty was made, recogniz- 





INDEPENBENGE AND REVOLUTION. 


125 


ing the independence of the United States, providing 
for commercial intercourse, and binding the two nations not 
to lay down arms till the acknowledgment of American 
independence by Great Britain. 

40 . J*}*opoS(fls of pence were then made by Eng¬ 
land. It was urged by the liberal party in Parliament that 
another war with France should be avoided. Conciliatory 
bills were passed repealing all taxes, granting all the 
Americans originally asked, and appointing commissioners 
to negotiate for peace. But it was too late to talk of peace 
withoHt independence. The envoys soon departed for home. 

41. The sf/inpafht/ of other nations was extended 
to the Americans. This was owing not to the love of repub¬ 
licanism among European monarchs, but chiefly to the 
jealousy which they entertained toward the power of Eng¬ 
land. It is believed that without this aid and sympathy 
the Revolution would have been a failure. Several mili¬ 
tary men came from Europe to assist the Americans. 
Besides La Fayette, there were two Polish patriots, Thad- 
deus Kosciusko and Count Pulaski; and two Germans, 
Baron De Kalb and Baron Steuben. They were very com¬ 
petent men, and rendered valuable service^* 

Steuben was a veteran soldier and disciplinarian from 
the Prussian army. He was appointed inspector-general 
of the American forces. He drilled the army in the tactics 
of war as practiced in Europe. From that time the Ameri¬ 
can regulars were never again beaten by an equal British 
force. 

42. The removal of Howe as commander - in - chief 
occurred in the spring, and Sir HenVfJ Clinton took 
his place. 

43. The operations of the year were two in num¬ 
ber — the Battle of Monmouth and the Massacre of 
Wyoming. 

44. The former was an American success. Clinton 
left Philadelphia and started for New York. Washington 
followed, and at Monmouth succeeded in bringing Clinton 






126 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


to battle. The causeless retreat of General l.ee, at the 
beginning, came near bringing disaster, but Washington 
dashed to the front, sent Lee to the rear, and turned the 
course of the battle. The conflict lasted all day. During 
the night Clinton hastily retreated, leaving his killed, 
wounded, and sick. These were cared for by the Americans! 

45. The latter was a British success. The Indians 
of the Six Nations, being bribed by gold, became English 
allies, and, together with a band of Tories, planned the 
destruction of the unsuspecting colony of Wyoming, Penn¬ 
sylvania. They were led by a ruffian named Butler. 'Thev 
overcame the small force opposing them, burned every 
house in the valley, and killed by scalping or torture ail 
who fell into their hands. This sickening story is useful 
tor two purposes-to show the atrocities of wa.^ and how 
merciless is despotism in its outrages on human rights. 

40. The French fleet, carrying six thousand men, 
did valuable service on the coast, following and defeating 

the British fleet under Admiral Howe, brother of the 
general. 

47. ^ The result of the year was satisfactory to the 
Americans. The British were confined to two isLds- 
Npv York and Rhode Island. The Americans held every 
Other stronghold in the country. 

Yofk. >vinter quarters in New 

lork, the Americans at Middlebrook. 

1779. 

49_ Two campniyns marked this year -one in the 
South and one in the North. 

The'^F was advantageous to the British 

the English possessions there, and the fleet of the British 

sTrZT" -- ‘o the 

them ’ The o with 

R 1 , J f were several in number: 1. The 

British took Savannah. 2. A body of Tories, on the march 





INDEPENDENCE AND REVOLUTION 


127 


to join the enemy, was defeated by Colonel Pickens. 3. A 
force of two thousand Americans, under General Ashe, 
were surrounded and beaten, with heavy loss. 4. The siege 
of Savannah, by the French lleet and General Lincoln’s 
command, failed, with a loss of one thousand men. The 
gallant Pulaski was among the slain. 

51. T]ie hitter went generally in favor of the British. 
Their moves were unimportant, being chiefly plundering 



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SWAMP 


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COURT HOUSK ^ 
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EUTAW SPRINQS^''^ 
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TO ILLUSTRATE 


•VeSUMTER 


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REVOLUTION 


S a van II i 


expeditions, in which villages and towns were burned, 
crops destroyed, houses robbed, homes desolated, and their 
inmates abused. The Americans sent out an expedition 
against the Indians in revenge of the massacre of Wyoming. 
They burned forty villages, destroyed the crops, and killed 
many of the peo])le. It was a time of barbarous raids and 
butcheries. The sad policy of revenge prevailed on both 
sides. 

52. The naval operations of the war do not occupy 

















128 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


a prominent place in history, but they resulted in remark¬ 
able success to the Americans. At the outbreak of the 
war, Congress authorized a regular navy of seventeen ves¬ 
sels, varying in force from ten to thirty-two guns. During 
the first year, over three hundred British vessels were cap¬ 
tured, and many privateers were sent out to prey upon the 
British commerce. Expeditions fitted out in French sea- 
l)orts produced great alarm on the English coasts. 

53. The first commander-in-chief of the navy was Eseh 
Hopkins, He was succeeded by I^aul ,Tonp^ ^ 
Scotch American. His little fleet, aided by his ceaseless 
activity, proved a match for “ the mistress of the sea.” His 
pluck was astonishing, and some of his encounters were the 
most desperate on record. He first hoisted the American 
flag at sea. 

54. The state of American finance at this time 

was very low. ^ The paper continued to depreciate. It 
took fifty and sixty dollars to buy one in specie, and yet it 
was considered as treason to refuse to accept the conti¬ 
nental currency. One cause of this prostration of the pub¬ 
lic credit was the failing confidence of the world in the 
success of Independence. The French alliance, which 
promised so much, had resulted in but little real benefit, 
and the American armies were melting away by desertions' 
.sickness, and defeat. • y 

Another cause was the fact that England counterfeited 
the continental currencj'. These facsimiles were printed 
in England to the extent of many millions, brought to 
America, and scattered through the country. This was 
done by the British government, which was every month 
hanging men for committing the same crime aga'inst her 
own currency. People knew that if the Revolution proved 
a failure, not a dollar of the continental debt would ever 
be paid. To jiurchase army supplies with such money ' 
became very difficult, and finally impossible. 

Two hundred million dollars of this currency had been 
issued, and it now became wortliless and ceased to circu- 




INDEPENDENCE AND REVOTMTION. 129 

late. Strange expedients were used to obtain money; one 
of these being the establishment of a lottery “ for defray¬ 
ing the expenses of the next campaign.” Washington was 
obliged to take subsistence from the surrounding country. 

55. The results of the year were very discourag¬ 
ing to the Americans. With all the desperate fighting, 
nothing definite had been accomplished. It seemed that, 
with reduced forces and universal destitution, a final tri¬ 
umph of arms was not to be hoped tor. The soldiers of 
Washington were shivering in their huts at Morristown, 
while the resources of the British were unlimited. 

Parliament voted one hundred and twenty thousand men 
and a hundred million dollars, to prosecute the war. The 
French fleet had sailed for home, and Congress was divided 
in angry disputes on questions of public policy. In bit¬ 
terness Washington wrote: “It seems that friends, as well 
as foes, are combining to pull down the fabric they have 
been raising at the expense of so much time, blood, and 
treasure.” 

1780. 

56. The campaigns of the year were again two 
in number — the Southern and the J^orthern. 

57. The former resulted greatly to the advantage 
of the British. Clinton advanced to the siege of Charles¬ 
ton and surrounded the city. Lincoln was obliged to sur¬ 
render his force of three thousand men. The British then 
spread over the State, and Clinton wrote to the home gov¬ 
ernment, “South Carolina is English again.” But it was 
the territory and not the people who were conquered. 
Such dashing officers as Francis Marion and Thomas 
Sumter came forward with hastily gathered militia, and 
kept up an irregular warfare. They harassed the enemy 
and kept down the Tories. 

58. After tiie fall of Charleston the British forces con- 
centrated at Camden under Cornwallis. Near this place 
they were met by five thousand Americans under General 
Gates. The battle was short but violent, and ended in the 

6 * 





130 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


complete defeat of the Ainericans, with a loss of nearly 
two thousand, beside stores and artillery. De Kalb fell 
with eleven wounds. 

59. The Icittev is to be remembered for one infamous 
plot of treason. Benedict x\rnold was a brave man, and 
had done effective service for the American cause. But 
being censured by Washington for misuse of public funds, 
his pride was wounded, and he resolved to betray his 
country. Being appointed commander at West Point on 
the Hudson, he offered to surrender this most important 
post, and had an interview with Clinton’s adjutant-general. 
Major xA.ndre, to arrange the details. 

M hile returning to tlie British lines x\ndre was arrested 
by three j)atrolmen, and his papers were found concealed 
in his stockings. He was tried as a spy, found guilty, and 
hung. He was a young man of noble character, and his 
fate elicited much sympathy in both armies. Washington 
wept when he signed his death-warrant. Arnold escaped, 
and received the price of his treachery. A plan for his 
capture unfortunately failed on the eve of its success. He 
joined the British service, and led a desolating expedition 
against Virginia. He spent the rest of his life in England, 
a shunned and despised traitor. 

17S1, 

60. A mutiny at Morristown occurred on the 
first day of the year. Extreme destitution still existed in 
the army; and fifteen hundred Pennsylvania soldiers rose ,( 
in tumult, and threatened to march with arms in their hands 
into the hall of Congress to get their pay or end its ses¬ 
sions. La Fayette was much beloved, but when he attempted 

to prevent the mutiny he had to leave the camp. General 
Wayne entered the ranks, and, with a loaded pistol, 
threatened to shoot the first man that opened his mouth; 
but in an instant a hundred muskets were pointed at him. | 
The mutineers were met on the way by a committee of j 

Congress, who made some provision for their immediate | 







INDEPENDENCE AND REVOLUTION. 


131 


necessities, and gave pledges which were subsequently 
redeemed. The soldiers returned to camp. 

61. A wealthy merchant of Philadelphia, named 
lioherf Morris^ was appointed financial agent of the 
government. His measures did much toward securing a 
successful ending of the struggle. His credit was Unlim¬ 
ited, and on several occasions he used his private fortune to 
relieve the government. 

62. A Fren ch fleet under Count Rochambeau, carry¬ 
ing seven thousand men, arrived during the year. They 
were sent chiefly through the influence of La Fayette. 

63. In the South General Nathaniel Greene super¬ 
seded Gates. He was a man of noble character, and a 
general of great energy and prudence. His troops met the 
British at Coivpens^ and an obstinate battle followed, 
with victory for the Americans. 

64. Another action soon occurred at Grililfovd Coiirt- 
Hoiise. Ten thousand men were engaged, and the 
losses were fifteen hundred on each side. It was a severe 
but indecisive battle. The British had been so much har¬ 
assed by scouting parties of the enemy that they ceased 
offensive operations in the South, and retired to Charleston, 
where they were watched by the Americans till the close of 
the war. 

65. In the North the Americans were able to gam a 
victory which put an end to the war. Cornwallis received 
an order from Clinton to take a position with his army on 
the sea-coast, so as to be able to assist in case Washington 
should attack New York. It was true that Washington 
had spent the season in collecting forces, and had formed 
the very design anticipated by Clinton. But when Corn¬ 
wallis centered his army at Yorktown he resolved to strike 
a blow in Virginia. 

When his secret preparations were completed he made 
forced marches for Yorktown, arriving at the same time as 
the French fleet. The siege then began. Washington 
had the largest force he ever commanded, sixteen thousand, 





132 


THE MODEL TIT STORY. 


of whom seven thousand were French. Cornwallis had an 
army ol eight thousand, embracing the flower of the Brit¬ 
ish forces in America. He stood the siege for three weeks. 
Finding all means of escape cut off, he surrendered his 
entire army. 

66. The e/Hfl of the tvav had evidently come. The 
wildest rejoicings prevailed in the army and with the peo¬ 
ple. Public sentiment had so changed in England that 
King Ceorge could no longer continue his warlike policy. 
Lord North, the leader of the Tory party there, and the 
obedient prime minister of the king, was forced into 
resignation, and the Marquis of Rockingham, the leader of 
the Whig party, took his place. 

Clinton was superseded by Sir Guy Carleton, who was 
instructed to open the way for peace. The soul of the 
war was gone. Hostilities ceased and both sides waited 
for peace. 

67. In Barliainent a resolution passed to give up 
“all further attempts to reduce the revolted colonies.” 
The city of London entreated the king to “ put an end to 
this unnatural and unfortunate war.” Spain and Holland 
had declared in favor of Independence. The stubborn 
monarch was obliged to submit to the voice of his people. 

68. The American commissioners, headed by Franklin, 
met the delegates from England, France, Spain, and Hol¬ 
land, at Paris. The Treaty of Paris was drafted and 
signed. It acknowledged the political independence of the 
United States, secured to the Americans the free naviga¬ 
tion of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, mid 
granted the right to the cod fisheries of Newfoundland. 
The boundaries of the United States were declared to be 
the Atlantic Ocean, the Mississippi River, the St. Lawrence 
and the Lakes, and Florida. Florida, and all the territory 
west of the Mississippi, was declared to be the possession 
of Spain. 

69. The clishanding of the army was attended 
with serious difficulty. The men had not been paid for a 



CONFEDERATION AND UNION. 


133 

long time, and the discontent from this cause was about to 
break out into another mutiny. Many of the officers had , 
expended their private fortunes, and were fearful of being 
left without any provision for future support. A plot was 
made to march to the capital and demand satisfaction of 
Congress. But by great effort Washington averted the 
danger. Congress redeemed its pledges, and the army was 
quietly disbanded. 

70. According to an estimate by Congress, tJlC COSt 
of the IVdV to the country was one hundred and thirty 
million dollars and forty thousand men. It had cost Eng¬ 
land fifty thousand lives and five hundred million dollars. 
Beside this visible loss, there was great depression in busi¬ 
ness, and a serious decline in private morals. 

71. Washlniftotl^s retirement immediately fol¬ 
lowed. His work was done. In New \ork he assembled 
his officers and bade them an affectionate and tearful' fare¬ 
well. His journey to Annapolis, where Congress was in 
session, was a continual trium])h. Old men crowded to the 
roadside to bless the chieftain; young men, to shout with 
enthusiasm; and young women, to strew his path with 
flowers. 

In an address full of feeling, wisdom, and modesty, he 
resigned to Congress his commission as commander-in- 
chie'f, which he had received over eight years before. He 
soon after retired to his home at Mount Vernon, which he 
had seen but once during these years of warfare. He car¬ 
ried with him the benedictions of a nation. 


CHAPTER II. 

CONFEDERATION AND UNION. 

72. The tardy adoption of the Articles of Confederation 
had left the prosecution of the war to the generalship of 
Washington and the assumed powers of Congress. These 
proved sufficient. The success of the Confedera^ 
tiofl during the last two years of the war, and the subse- 





134 


THE MODEL III STORY, 


quent years of peace, was far from satisfactory. Though 
intended to serve as a bond of perpetual union, its princi¬ 
pal provisions referred to a state of war, and were dormant 
in time of peace. The States had preferred to reserve to 
themselv^es nearly all the power, and regarded the least 
possible delegation of authority to Congress as quite suffi¬ 
cient for national purposes. There could be no such a 
thing as a strong central government. Foreign nations did 
not like to make treaties with such a loose and feeble com¬ 
pact of States. Washington said, “We are one nation 
to-day, and thirteen to-morrow; who will treat with us on 
these terms.?” 

73. The €lef ects of the Avtteles soon became appar¬ 
ent : 1. Congress could ascertain the sum necessary to 

defray the expense of the public service, but it could not 
collect a dollar. It could contract debts, but it could not 
raise money. Some of the States made the desired levy, 
some delayed, and others refused. 2. There was no power 
to regulate commerce, either foreign or domestic. State 
taxation of goods brought in from adjoining States, was 
very common, and produced endless disputes and bitterness. 
3. Nearly all the powers of Congress were merely advisorv. 
It could declare any thing, but it could do nothing. “ The 
wonder is, not that such a scheme of government should 
fail; but that it should have been capable even of a 
momentary existence.” 

74. The consequence was that the goveminent was 
olten entirely without funds; and it is probable that, had 
Congress not had the good fortune to secure some foreign 
loans, this dilatory scheme of taxation would have been 
fatal to the cause of independence. The large fortune of 
Robert Morris was much reduced and he brought to want 
in the attempt to sustain a government which the States 
refused to support. 

^Var between individual States was seriously threatened, 
agriculture languished, and trade fell off. Private debts 
were enormously increased and public ones were not paid. 


CONFEDERATION AND UNION. 


135 


Foreign nations saw our weakness, and proceeded to ruin 
our commerce. The Confederation had not only lost all its 
vigor, but it had even ceased to be respected; and it 
became evident to all that an important work was yet to be 
done or the great interests of the Union would fall in ruins. 
Washington said: “Thirteen sovereignties pulling against 
each other and all tugging at the Federal head, will soon 
bring ruin on the whole.” 

7N The idea of remodeliiKj the (joeevmnent 
originated at Mount Vernon. The convention of revision 
met at Philadelphia in May, 1787. Washington was chosen 
chairman. The object which called these fifty men together 
was to devise better regulations for commerce between the 
States. The proposed amendments to the Articles were 
debated two weeks, when Edmund Randolph introduced a 
resolution to set aside the Articles of Confederation and 
adopt a new Constitution. This constitutional convention 
sat with closed doors, and its proceedings were never pub¬ 
lished. But James Madison, who was a ready penman, took 
copious notes of the speeches and deliberations, frequently 
submitting them to the speakers for revision. These valu¬ 
able papers were afterward bought by the government, and 
were published in 1840, as a legacy to the nation. 

At the end of four months the Constitution was com¬ 
pleted and signed. The original draft was from the pen 
of Gouverneur Morris, of Pennsylvania. It was a work of 
the greatest difficulty. The interests of the various sec- 
tions^of the country were thought to be so opposite that 
the chances of a union were very small. A final adjourn- 
nieiit was several times proposed, and it required all the 
tact of Washington, Franklin, and others, to hold the con¬ 
vention together till its work was done. 

76. The first stavery trouble arose m that con¬ 
vention. The six hundred thousand slaves in the country 
at that time were mostly in the South, and violent disputes 
arose between the two sections concerning the ratio of 
representation. The northern members claimed that slaves 






136 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


should not be counted in representation and taxation; the 
southern, that they should. A compromise was effected by 
which ever afterward during the existence of slavery in the 
country, five slaves were equal in political power to three 
white men. This power was exercised by the masters, and 
not by the slaves; and thus, in several States of the South 
a white man had twice as much political power as a white 
man in the North. 

This over-representation enabled the slave interest to 
control the government most of the time till the abolition 
of slavery. It was also agreed that the northern States 
were bound to return fugitive slaves. It is believed that 
without these concessions on the part of the North, the 
Constitution would never have been adopted by the States. 

77. Before this time there had been but little politics in 
the country; but questions of importance now came for¬ 
ward which divided the convention and people into two 
political parties. These were the Federalists and the 
Republicans. The former favored a strong, central, and 
united government, which would confer large powers on 
the President and Congress, and make a nation “ one and 
indivisible.” 

The latter believed that the government should be strictly 
democratic, the power being more in the hands of the 
people and the States. This party favored “State Rights,” 
meaning the right of each State to be independent of the 
others, with the agreement that all should unite for the 
common .defense. Beside these, there were a few who 
thought that a limited monarchy and a system of institu¬ 
tions resembling the English, would be most suitable. The 
political parties remained thus for thirty-eight years. 

78. In the new Constitution the legislative power 
was vested in Congress—a body composed of a Senate and 
a House of Representatives. The Senators are chosen by 
the State legislatures, and serve six years. Each State is 
entitled to two Senators. The Representatives are elected 
by the people, and each State is entitled to a number pro- 




' GONFEDER^iTlON AND UNION. 

portionate to its population. They serve two years. Con¬ 
gress makes laws for the entire people, and no State can 
pass a law conflicting with them. 

79. The executive power of the government was 
vested in a President, who is a native of the United States, 
and is chosen to serve four years by bodies of men called 
the electoral colleges. The people choose the electors, each 
State being entitled to as many as it has members in Con¬ 
gress. The chief duty of the President is to execute tlie 
laws which Congress may make. He may veto a bill passed 
by Congress; but a congressional majority of two-thirds 
may p^ss a law without his consent. He has the general 
appointing power, and is commander-in-chief of the army 
and navy. The Vice-President presides over the Senate, 
except when called to the presidency by the death, resigna¬ 
tion, or removal of the President. This has occurred three 
times in our history. 

80. The Judicial power was vested in one Supreme 
Court and several inferior courts. The chief - justice and 
his associates hold office during life or good behavior. 
These courts have jurisdiction in all cases in which the gov¬ 
ernment may be a party. 

81. By further provisions the right of trial by 
jury is granted in all cases, except the impeachment of 
public officers. Treason consists only in making war against 
the United States, or in giving aid and comfort to their 
enemies. New Territories may be organized and new 
States admitted into the Union. Each State is guaranteed 
a republican form of government, and is protected against 
invasion and domestic violence. 

Amendments may be made when sanctioned by a two - 
thirds vote of both Houses of Congress and ratified by the 
legislatures of three - fourths of the States. Fifteen amend¬ 
ments have been made since the adoption of the Constitu¬ 
tion-most of them soon after it went into effect. These 
secure religious freedom ; alter the manner of electing 
President and Vice-President; abolish slavery; and secure 




138 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


the right of manhood suffrage without regard to race or 
color. 

82. Within one year after the Constitution had been 
framed, eleven of the States had ratified it, being two more 
than was necessary to put it in operation. Senators and Rep¬ 
resentatives were elected in the several States thus ratify¬ 
ing, except New York, and presidential electors chosen. 
Soon afterward the choice of a President was made. 
There was but one voice in selecting the man for this high 
trust. 

When the ballots of the electors were opened in the 
presence of Congress, George Washington was found to have 
been unanimously chosen President, and John Adams was 
made Vice-President. Washington’s journey from Mount 
Vernon to New York was a continued triumph. The “ more 
perfect union ” was thus formed, and Congress ordered that 
the new government should go into operation on the fourth 
of March, 1789, a day since called Inauguration Day. 


CHAPTER III. 


WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. 


1789 — 1797 . 


83. On the third of March the Continental Congress 
ceased to exist. The non-arrival of the members of the 
first Constitutional Congress deferred the commence¬ 
ment of the new fjovernnient^ and that event did 
not occur till the thirtieth of April. On the balcony of the 
Federal Hall in New York, the Chancellor of the State of 


New York administered to Washington the oath of office, 
which was in the following words : “ I do solemnly swear 

that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of 
the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, pre¬ 
serve, protect, and defend, the Constitution of the United 
States.” In all subsequent inaugurations this oath has been 
administered by the Chief-Justice. 



WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. 


139 


84. Five Departments of State were soon 
after created. Thomas Jeiferson was confirmed as Secre¬ 
tary of State; Alexander Hamilton, as Secretary of the 
Treasury; Henry Knox, as Secretary of War; Edmund Ran¬ 
dolph, as Attorney - General, and Samuel Osgood, as Post¬ 
master-General. These men became the chosen advisors 
and assistants of the President, and were collectively called 
the Cabinet. Later in our history two other departments 
of State were added — the Navy, and the Interior. 

85. Many constItutiomil amendments were now 
proposed, and eleven of them were adopted. By this 
action on the part of Congress, which now for the first time 
sat with open doors. North Carolina and Rhode Island 
became satisfied with the Constitution, and ratified it accord¬ 
ingly. The thirteen States were thus united. 

86. The JadiciatOf of the nation was established 
soon afterward. The bill was the work of Oliver Ells¬ 
worth. John Jay became the first Chief Justice. The 
judiciary remains to this day, in substance, as it was first 
organized. 

87. The salaries of the pnhlic officers were also 
fixed by the first Congress. The President was to receive 
|>25,000 yearly, the Vice - President $5,000, and the cabinet 
officers 13,500 each. Senators were entitled to seven dol¬ 
lars a day and mileage for their traveling expenses; Repre¬ 
sentatives, the mileage and six dollars per, day. 

88. With the wise and impressive sentiments of Wash¬ 
ington’s Inaugural Address before it. Congress gave its 
immediate attention to the subject of revenue. To pay 
the current expenses of the government and provide for 
the liquidation of the public debt, a tax was placed on 
goods brought into the country, and on the tonnage of 
merchant-ships entering the ports of the United States. 
This was called indirect taxation. A tax was also placed 
on spirituous liquors distilled in the country. This was 
called an excise. 

Direct taxation was considered unwise in policy and 




140 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


odious in practice; but by the method adopted, while the 
tax was really paid by those who bought and used the 
imported articles, its presence in their cost was often unsus¬ 
pected and therefore cheerfully paid. 

89. The puhlle credit was still very low. The 
paper money of the Continental Congress was worth but 
twelve per cent, of its nominal value, although independ¬ 
ence was achieved, the new Constitution was adopted, and 
the good wishes of the world were secured. 

At the request of Congress, Hamilton presented a plan 
for the relief of the country. He proposed the funding 
of the National Debt, in which he included not only the 
fifty-four millions contracted by Congress, but also the 
twenty-five millions owed by the States. The interest 
was to be paid regularly, and the principal finally extin¬ 
guished by the revenue derived from imported articles 
and from distilled spirits. 

The warmest feelings were aroused by the debates on 
this scheme, and the excitement reached even a dangerous 
intensity. The financial policy of Hamilton prevailed. As 
a result of this legislation the paper money speedily rose 
to its par value, and the entire debt of the nation was 
finally paid. 

90. A National Bank was also proposed, to regulate 
the currency by securing uniformity in the kind and value 
of money in the different parts of the country. The Repub¬ 
licans violently opposed the measure, saying that it was 
unnecessary, unconstitutional, and adverse to republican 
institutions. The bill became a law, and the bank was 
chartered for twenty years with a capital of ten millions. 
It was established at Philadelphia, where a mint was also 
put in operation. 

91. The seat of government had always been at 
places which the Continental Congress had found most 
convenient for its sessions, chiefly New York and Phila¬ 
delphia. It was now decided that Congress should hold its 
sessions at the latter city for ten years, or during the rest 


WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. 


141 


of the century, and that the capital be then permanently 
established at some point on the Potomac. 

Under authority from Congress, Washington selected the 
District of Columbia, which was ceded by Maryland and 
Virginia to the general government. The place was densely 
wooded, level, and wet, and, in the Oj)inion of many, quite 
unsuited to the })urpose. The capital city was named Wash¬ 
ington, public buildings were erected, and Congress removed 
thither in 1800; and art so far overcame natural disadvan¬ 
tages that the city finally became prosperous and handsome. 

92. Few of the States had any regular code, and State 
le(ftsl((tion was based on the Common Law of England. 
Independence made no violent changes in the institutions 
of the country, and in the law-books of this time were many 
quaint and strange regulations which would now excite a 
smile or awaken censure. 

93. Tike First Census was taken, in obedience to 
the Constitution, in 1790, to determine the ratio of repre¬ 
sentation in Congress, and to obtain an official record of 
progress. When completed it was found that the enumera¬ 
tion amounted to nearly four millions (3,929,214), of whom 
seven hundred thousand were slaves. The ratio of repre¬ 
sentation in Congress was placed at one representative for 
every thirty - three thousand inhabitants. 

94. Foreign r/Z/'VrD'.s* claimed much attention. Trea¬ 
ties were made with Spain, Algiers, and England, securing 
the navigation of the Mediterranean sea and the Mississippi 
River. In France, the French Revolution was in progress. 
Monarchy was overthrown in 1792 and a republic formed. 
Remembering their own recent struggles for independence, 
many people in this country sympathized with the move¬ 
ment. France w^as then at war with England, and as soon 
as the new French ambassador. Citizen Genet, arrived m 
the United States, he began to fit out privateers in Ameri¬ 
can ports to cajiture British ships. 

He also demanded an alliance between France and this 
country. In this course of conduct he was sustained by many 


142 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


of the Republicans, who favored an alliance as a return for 
the aid rendered bj France during our struggle for inde¬ 
pendence. But Washington and his cabinet resolved to 
remain neutral. The maxim adopted was, “ Friendship with 
all, but entangling alliances with none.” This has ever since 
been the settled foreign policy of our government. 

Relying on the sympathy of the Republicans, Genet 
thought he could demand almost any thing, and he behaved 
very defiantly. But when he threatened to appeal from 
the President to the people, his adherents deserted him, and 
Washington secured his recall. The forbearance of the 
administration with Genet gave rise to the idea that the 
government was not strong enough to enforce its authority 

9o Ihis quarrel was scarcely ended when another 
trouble, called the Whisky Insurrection, arose in 
western Pennsylvania. The excise on spirits had always 
been unpopular there, and meetings were called to con¬ 
demn the tax. The collectors were threatened, and the 
marshal was resisted and fired upon while in the discharo-e 
of his duties. The mills and barns of those who paid the 
tax were burned. The insurgents numbered seven thou¬ 
sand, and matters remained thus for two years. 

The President finally resolved that resistance to the laws 
should be ended. He therefore sent an army of fifteen 
thousand into the rebellious district, and the mob melted 
away before it. 

This was a political rather than a social outbreak The 
whisky-tax was a measure of the Federalists, and was sun- 
posed to bear heavily on the distilling districts. Genet and 
his partisans had carefully cultivated the discontent till it 
broke out into resistance. 

96. A more serious work was before the President 
Troubles with Enyiund had survived the treatv 
which ended the Revolution, and the newspapers in both 
countries continued to abound in irritating editorials and 
correspondence. Complaints were made in England that 
private debts contracted before the Revolution could not 
be collected in America. 


WMIIINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. 148 

On the other hand it was charged by the Americans that 
the British armies had carried oiF their slaves, tliat posts 
V ere still held on the western frontier in violation of the 
treaty, that Indians, having committed massacres, were 
protected by tlie Britisli, and that American seamen were 
impressed into the marine service of Bngland. All these 
complaints, on both sides, were true. 

97. But the Immedi((fe occ((sio)l of the alarm was 
the secret issue of instructions by King Greorge to British 
privateers to seize all neutral vessels found trading with 
the Frencn in the M est Indies. Before Congress had noti¬ 
fication of this measure goods to the value of millions of 
dollars had been taken on American ships on the high seas. 

Every thing was tending toward another war with Eng¬ 
land, when fortunately the American minister in London 
succeeded in concluding a treaty on the basis of mutual 
concession. iGlthough it did not secure all that the Ameri¬ 
cans desired, it was admitted to be the best that was obtain¬ 
able, and after a time of violent party warfare it was rati¬ 
fied by Congress and the best judgment of the people. 

98. Three itetr States were added to the original 

O 

thirteen during this presidency. New States were allowed to 
have at least one representative in Congress, and were 
required to adopt a State constitution, republican in form, 
and consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United 
States. They were then admitted^ on application, by a vote 
of Congress. 

99. Vermontf signifying green mountain, was settled 




from New Hainp-' 
shire. New York 



the settlers, but 
without success. 


SEAL OP VERMONT. 


The volunteer militia aided greatly in the Revolution. 


144 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


100. Kenfue]^ij was at first considered a part of 
Virginia, and was explored before the Revolution by 

the famous hunter 
and pioneer, Daniel 
Boone. The story 
of his remarkable 
life leads us to re¬ 
member theproverb, 
“ Truth is stranger 
than fiction.” The 
long series of conflicts between the Kentuckians and the 
Indians caused the region to be called the Dark and Bloody 
Ground. 




101 . Tennessee 

was first settled by 
people from North 
Carolina. At one time 
the settlers became dis¬ 
satisfied with the laws 
of the parent State and 
proposed to set up a new one under the name of Franklin, 
but it was changed to Tennessee, the Indian name of the 
principal river flowing through it. Both Kentucky and 
Tennessee, being settled from slave States, became slave 
States themselves. 


SEAL OP TENNESSEE. 


102. Although the country needed quiet so much, 
spirit exceedingly bitter. The Federalists — called 
by their opponents High-Flying Feds —were accused of a 
desire to form an alliance with England, and of hostility to 
•the growth of republican ideas in Europe. The private 
character of Washington did not escape the worst insinua¬ 
tions, and malicious satires Avere aimed at his policy. 

On the other hand, the Republicans Avere charged with 
being friendly toAvard the bloody leaders of the French 
Revolution, with entertaining loose views of government, 
and even with a desire to introduce communism, by break- 
ing up the foundations of the Republic and shattering the 




WASII/HGTOy ^s ABMINISTIiATIOy 145 

I 

I structure of society. None of these charges were correct; 
but they show to wliat extravagance patriotic men may be 
led by the force of party strife. 

103. ^ In 1793 the country was visited by a calamity to 
which it had before been a stranger. The yellow fever 
broke out in Philadelphia with such fatality that, out of a 
population of sixty thousand, four thousand died. Terror 
seized all classes, and the city was nearly deserted. Among 
those who heroically remained to attend the sick was Dr. 
Henjamin Rush. His treatment was highly successful, and 
after a course of three months the pestilence was staved. 

104. Ihe subject of puhlle edlicdtioii received the 
attention of Congress even before the administration of 

' Washington. In passing laws respecting the disposal of 
the public lands, it was ordered, in 1785, that section six¬ 
teen in every township be set apart for the maintenance 
of public schools. In justification of this national legis¬ 
lation, this sentiment was expressed: “Knowledge being 
necessary to good government and the happiness of man- 
; kind, schools and the means of education shall be forever 
encouraged.” 

I Two years later Congress further donated two complete 
I townships of land perpetually to support a university in 
I each State. Every State admitted into the Union has par- 
I taken of these bounties from the general government. The 
States also began to tax themselves to support universities, 
colleges, and common schools, and to authorize county and 
township taxation for educational purposes. 

Thus the government undertook to provide for the edu¬ 
cation of the people, and from these provisions has come 
our system of public instruction. The little district school - 
house of the country, and the large ward-school building 
of the city, have resulted from this wise legislation of our 
forefathers. 

105. The literature of the time was mostly of a poli¬ 
tical character, explaining legal and constitutional principles. 
We should remember that beside their political labors, 

7 






146 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 




Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, Jay, Franklin, 
and others, were laborious and voluminous authors. Dr. 
David Ramsay was the first American historian. 

106. The fine (irts were cultivated by few, but with 
great success. John Trumbull, 
a member of Washington’s staff, 
painted the scenes of the Revo¬ 
lution. The best of his pictures 
now adorn the rotunda of the 
Capitol at AVashington. Ben¬ 
jamin AA est excelled in painting 
Bible scenes, and many of his 
pictures may now be viewed at 
the Academy of Fine xA.rts in 
Philadelphia. 

107. The Cotton Ghi 

was the name of a very import- 
BENJAMIX WEST. iiiachine invented at this 

time —179*1. The Southern States were well suited bv 
nature for the production of cotton; but the labor of sepa¬ 
rating the seed from the fiber — called ginning it — was so 
great that a man would not gin more than a pound a dav. 

xA. machine was greatly needed. 
So much was cotton - raisin 
iiindered, that after the Revolu¬ 
tion “eight bags of cotton-wool” 
shipped to England were seized 
at the custom - house at Liver¬ 
pool as being dishonestly entered, 
‘‘‘-cotton not heing ct 2 >roduction 
of the United States.'^'’ Finally, 
a young man from Alassachu- 
setts, named Eli AA'^hitney, who 
had just graduated at Yale Col¬ 
lege, went South to teach school. 
He lived in the family of Mrs. 
revolutionary general, Nathaniel 


Greene, widow of the 


WASHINQTON'S ADMINISTRATION. 147 

Greene; and during his moments of leisure he had made 
many ingenious toys for her children. 

One day she had a company of planters at her house, and, 
in their presence, she asked AV^hitney to try his skill in 
: making a machine for ginning cotton. He secretly 

I undertook the task. But he could buy neither tools nor 

materials in that region, and had to make the former 
^ before proceeding. He also spent weeks in making iron 
wire. 

After much difficulty the rude machine was completed, 
and Mrs. Greene invited the leading planters to examine it! 

. They were delighted to find that with Whitney’s invention 
I one man could gin as much cotton as five hundred men 

; without It. The news flew rapidly, and multitudes clamored 

I for a sight of the wonderful machine. One night the shop 
was broken open and the prize was carried off. 

Before Whitney could complete his model and get his 
patent, many machines were set to work in the South, and 
it was a long time before he could get any compensation 
! for his labor. The cultivation of cotton immediately 
assumed great importance, and through the invention of 
the gin the production increased from five thousand to five 
millions of bales yearly, being seven - eighths in value of 
I all the cotton produced on the globe. It is a very moderate 
I estimate to say that this machine was worth to the South¬ 
ern States a thousand millions of dollars. 

108. The matiners of soclett/ at the capital were 
very formal and exacting, much resembling the manners 
then prevalent at the English court. The President held 
receptions every Tuesday at his own house. At precisely 
three o’clock the doors were thrown open, and the Presi¬ 
dent was seen, surrounded by his cabinet and other promi¬ 
nent citizens, dressed elegantly in black velvet, with white 
waistcoat, yellow gloves, silver knee - buckles and shoe- 
buckles. He held a cocked hat and wore a sheathed sword. 
His hair was powdered and tied up in a silk bag behind. 
He never shook hands with his guests, but bowed when 





148 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


introduced, and afterward exchanged a few words in con¬ 
versation. The President was a master of etiquette, and 
never descended to familiarity. 

When a title for the President was to be selected, “ Pligli 
Mightiness,” was suggested, the words used to describe the 
president of the republic of Holland; but the more moder¬ 
ate title, “Excellency,” was adopted. When Washington 
went to the sessions of Congress he used a fine stage - coach, 
which was usually drawn by four white horses, but on great 
occasions by six, and on Sundays by two. The drivers and 
footmen wore liveries of white and scarlet. 

The President’s birth - day was celebrated by dinners and 
public meetings, and poets often addressed odes to His 
Excellency. It was thought by the Federalists that these 
things were necessary to add dignity to the Republic ; but 
the Republicans ridiculed them as a weak imitation of the 
habits of monarchy, and accused Washington of too much 
etiquette and love of display. 

109. Ill fdsh ioiiuhle life the style of dress differed 
much from the custom of the present day. Clergymen 
wore wigs and silk gowns in the pulpit and cocked hats on 
the street. “ Gentlemen had a great variety of brilliant col¬ 
ors in their clothes, such as only ladies now display. When 
a well dressed gentleman went into company he appeared 
in a wig, white stock, white satin embroidered vest, black 
satin small - clothes, white silk stockings, and fine broad¬ 
cloth or velvet coat.” 

Pantaloons were worn occasionally as a business costume, 
but never when in full dress. A gentleman’s snuff-box 
was as indispensable as a cigar is now, and courtesy was 
shown in taking the weed in this form with a friend. A 
snuff-box was a very popular kind of gift, and much 
expense was often lavished upon it. 

“Ladies wore those beautiful silks and brocades which 
are still preserved as heirlooms in many American families. 
Their hair was dressed in powder and pomatum, and was 
often built up to a great height above the head. The hair - 


WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. 


149 


dressers were kept so busy on the day of a fashionable 
entertainment that ladies had to employ their services as 
early as four in the morning, and sit upright all the rest of 
the day to avoid disturbing their head dress.” 

(‘OUltitOil life the people, were recovering 
from the losses of the war. The soldiers went quietly back 
to their farms and workshops, and very few beggars were 
seen in the country. Most people w^ore home - spun clothes; 
for, although cloth was woven by machinery, the threads 
must still be spun by hand. Silk worms were raised in 
Connecticut, and it became the custom to give the minister 
a home - made silk gown. 

Carpets first came into use during this presidency, Iving 
in a square in the center of the floor. The houses had spa¬ 
cious halls, wide stairs, and enormous “ fire - places.” The 
punch-bowl was always found in families of means, and its 
contents made a customary treat to company. 

Hotels on such a large scale as our modern ones were 
unknown; but there were taverns and coffee - houses which 
afforded solid comfort to the traveler. The people had 
great, open fires of wood, and when the Philadelphians tried 
to use coal as fuel they gave it up as a failure. 

111. Thus far the main paety issue had been differ¬ 
ences of opinion respecting the fundamental principles of 
the government; but now a new question came forward — 
whether it was the true policy to enter into intimate rela¬ 
tions with the French Republic. The Federalists said, No ! 
The Republicans said. Yes ! 

The force of party feeling was shown by a remark of 
Hamilton to Washington, that he should consider the head 
of every prominent Federalist in danger if a Republican 
were elected President. Washington and Jefferson broke 
a friendly correspondence w'hich had existed for many years. 
Outside of party platforms and popular imagination our 
politics have had no golden age. 

112. The question of foreign relations was the leading 
issue of the pres icleutial cmnxjaiyn* Washington, 






150 


TEE MODEL HISTORY. 


declining a third term, declared his intention to return to 
private life. The Federalists, desiring the continuation of 
his policy, brought forward John Adams as their candidate. 
The Republicans named the foremost man of their party, 
Thomas Jefferson. At the election Adams stood first, 
with seventy-one electoral votes, and, of course, Jefferson 
second, with sixty - nine. As the Constitution then read, the 
former was declared elected President and the latter Vice - 
President. 

113. At the close of his presidency, Washington issued 
to the people of the United States his F(lrswclZ 
Address, a document full of political wisdom and lofty 
patriotism. It exhorts the people to cherish an unwavering 
attachment to the union of the States. It discourages the' 
support of large military establishments, cautions against 
the ill-considered alteration of constitutional provisions, and 
especially depicts the violence of party spirit as hostile to 
the best interests of the nation. The Father of his Country 
was never again enticed from the retreat of Mt. Vernon 
to the performance of public duties. 


CHAPTER IV. 

A DAMS'S A DM IN 1ST R A TION. 

1797 -ISOl. 

114. The new President was sixty-two years 
old. 1m the Colonial Congress he had nominated Wash¬ 
ington as commander-in-chief, and had 
been a member of the first and second 
Continental Congresses. Jefferson wrote 
the Declaration, but Adams secured its 
adoption by his persuasive argument 
during the three days of debate. He 
was distinguished for his lofty patriot¬ 
ism. He was a good writer and an able 
lawyer. He was a ceaseless worker, and 
was said to have been the clearest headed man in the nation. 




ADAMSES ADMINISTRATION. 


151 


Of him Jefferson said: “Not always fluent, not always 
graceful in his public addresses, he yet came out upon us 
with a power, both of thought and expression, that moved 
us from our seats.” He was distinguished for the stately 
formality of his bearing. He was sometimes called “ the 
Colossus of Independence” in the American Congress. 

115. The presidential election had shown a wcciD spot 
ift tli€ (J oust it tit toil y which declared that the candi¬ 
date having the highest number of electoral votes should 
be President; and the one ranking next. Vice - President. 
It now became apparent that the heads of the two opposing 
parties would continually share the two highest offices of 
the nation between them. This would inevitably bring 
such differences among those high in authority as to endan¬ 
ger the stability of the government. 

Few men could be found more unlike in mind and opin¬ 
ions than Adams and Jefferson; but they agreed in being 
true patriots, with a sincere wish for the good of their coun¬ 
try. Mutual respect and concessions preserved them from 
any gr«at misunderstanding. 

116. The trouble with Frmiee did not end with 
the recall of Genet. The French people continued much 
displeased with the American neutrality, and especially 
disliked the dismissal of their minister. In retaliation 
for these supposed insults France declined to receive the 
newly appointed American minister to Paris, Charles C. 
Pinckney, and even ordered him to leave France. The 
French Directory authorized the capture of American ves¬ 
sels containing English goods. 

117. When Congress convened at the call of the Presi¬ 
dent, the matter was referred to that body. It was deter¬ 
mined to preserve peace if possible, and to make one more 
attempt at negotiation. Three speeUil envotjs — 
Charles C. Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry — 
were appointed to proceed to Paris and seek reconciliation. 

118. Otl their arrival the envoys were informed 
that they could not be received by the Directory, but it was 






152 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


hinted to them that the payment of a large sum of money 
would conciliate France. This was, in‘part, to heal the 
wounded French honor by bribing the members of the 
Directory. Insulted by these shameless proposals, Pinck¬ 
ney exclaimed, “ Millions for defense, but not a cent for 
tribute.’ This became the American motto during the 
pending of these difficulties. The envoys soon left Paris. 

119. Hostilities began on the sea. There seemed 

to be a prospect of another war; and General Washington 
was made nominal commander with General Alexander 
Hamilton as his acting first lieutenant. It was durino- 
these excitements that the National Lyric was written 
beginning, ’ 

“ Hail, Columbia! Happy land! ” 

120. War was averted by an unexpected change in 

the French government. Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew 
the Directory, and assumed control. He saw through the 
affair at a glance, and as he had nothing to gain”by an 
American war, he concluded a satisfactory treaty of peace. 
Thus ended what is commonly called the “ Quasi War.” 
From that day to this, with the exception of one brief occa¬ 
sion, our intercourse with France has been marked by har¬ 
mony and mutual confidence, through all the chano-es of 
that fickle government. ^ 

121. The death of Washington occurred in the 
midst of these troubles. In riding out to superintend the 
affairs of his plantation he was overtaken bv a storm and 
he returned home with a chill. Inflamraatiou of the throat 
ensued, and being neglected a few hours till beyond medi¬ 
cal control, the disorder terminated his life on the follow 
ing day. 

All classes remembered how much the country owed to 
his courage and wisdom. Funeral eulogies were pronounced 
in yi parts. Congress wore mourning during the session 
and inquired “the most suitable manner of paying honor 
to the man who was first in war, first in peace, aiid”first in 
the hearts of his countrymen,” 


ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATIOX. 


153 


122. I>ati*ick Henry died the same year. The 
venerated Frank!hi had closed his career nine years 
before. Thus the patriarchs of the Revolution were pass¬ 
ing away. 

1^3. The Second Ceusas, taken in 1800, showed a 
population of nearly five and a half millions (5,319,762). 
During the ten years the annual exports had increased from 
twenty millions to seventy millions of dollars; and the rev¬ 
enue from nine to thirteen millions yearly. The seventy- 
five post - offices reported ten years before had now multi¬ 
plied to nine hundred and three. Agricultural and com¬ 
mercial wealth was rapidly increasing. 

124. The TVestivavd ntovenient^ which began as 
soon as we became a nation, steadily increased in import¬ 
ance. Daniel Boone, the Kentucky pioneer, was the first 
man, well known in the nation who “went West;” but he 
was soon followed by others, who flocked into the valleys 
of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. These hardy pioneers 
among the western woods led lives of toil, danger, and 
privation. They went with their families to make their 
homes in the forests. 

Their dwellings were log-cabins; their food was wild 
game and crushed corn and wheat; very often they had 
nothing to cook in but an iron kettle; their clothing was 
made of deer skins; their beds were the shaggy robes of 
the buffalo and the bear. Their struggles with the Indians 
would make volumes filled with adventures more thrilling 
than romance. 

125. The great want in these homes in the wilderness 
was salt. It was made only on the sea-coast; and in 
Ohio and Kentucky was worth twenty dollars a bushel, 
being brought over the mountains of Virginia on pack - 
horses. Occasionally the settlers would -find a salt spring, 
from which with great labor they would make a little 
home-made salt. It was treasured almost as though it 
were gold - dust. 

126. Social and domestic life continued to make 

7 * 




154 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


gradual ctianges. Umbrellas were frequently carried to 
church, though for many years they were considered a mark 
of elfeminacy, and those who used them were much ridi¬ 
culed. Plates came into general use at the breakfast and 
tea - tables. Boots began to be worn instead of shoes. 

Very few mechanical inventions had yet been introduced. 
The people still did not know how to use coal as fuel, but 
had great open fires of wood in their “ fire - places.” They 
used tallow candles of their own dipping, and wore garments 
of homespun cloth. 

Even the cities were not far from the wilderness, and the 
gun and fishing - rod were in almost every house. “ In the 
South there were scarcely any large towns, and the Far 
West was as yet unexplored by the English settlers, and 
was known only to the Canadian French.” 

The theater was just beginning to be tolerated. Private 
theatricals sometimes took place, and the President had 
entertainments at his own house. Musical concerts were 
allowed, and balls were sometimes given on a large scale. 
The guests often went to these in sedan - chairs, arriving 
between seven and eight o’clock, and going home at ten 
or eleven. The dances were minuets and contra-dances, 
the quadrille being but recently introduced. 

127. The means of inibliC conveyance were 
exceedingly imperfect in these times. On land the Flying 
Machines still made the best time. On water the sloops 
were much slower, were licensed to carry only a few pas¬ 
sengers, and were by no means safe. As late as the admin¬ 
istration of John Quincy Adams the President chose to 
make his annual visit to his home in Massachusetts on 
horseback, “ to be sure that he should reach there in some 
decent season.” 

128. During this entire presidency party Spirit ran 
very high. The exercise of extraordinarv powers by Con¬ 
gress and the President during a time of threatened war, 
gave the Republicans reason for vehement opposition to 
the Federal rule. This party had now had control of the 


ADAMSES ADJflWISTMATIO]^. 


155 


gov’^ernment for twelve years, but during this administra¬ 
tion it gradually lost support. This dissatisfaction was 
owing to four things: 

First. The Alien Law, which was passed in 1798, was 
to be 111 effect for two years, and gave the President power 
to expel from the country any foreigner he might consider 
( dangerous to the nation. 

I Second. The Sedition Law, which provided that those 
who falsely accused the President or Congress should be 
' prosecuted and punished. 

j Third. An impression that the party entertained opin- 
I ions less favorable to the liberties of the people than the 
1 Republican. 

Fourth. A belief that it was partial to England and 
^ unfriendly to France. The Republicans chose to see in 
I these things reasons for their advocacy of State Rights, and 
I grounds for their fears that the Republic would become a 
monarchv and the President a kinp*. 

129. AVhen the time drew near for the pveHidential 
campaign it became apparent that Adams had excited 
so much feeling against himself that his party had but little 
prospect of success. Adams and Pinckney became the 
Federal candidates. The Republicans nominated Thomas 
j Jefferson and Aaron Burr. 

At this time the germ of future party platforms appeared 
in “an inspired editorial” in a Richmond journal, explain¬ 
ing Jefferson’s views. He was a warm friend of the French 
people, and reflected the sentiments of his party in his 
deep dislike for England. “ Three hundred American ves¬ 
sels seized, and one thousand American sailors impressed,” 
stood at the head of the Republican newspapers, and made 
the burden of Republican speeches. All the resources of 
argument and anger were exhausted in the heated passions 
of the day. A New England clergyman refused to baptize 
a child Thomas Jefferson, saying he would rather call it 
Beelzebub. Another lifted up his dying head to say : “I 
love the Savior, but hate the devil and Jefferson.” 





156 


THE MODEL IIISTOIIY. 


130. The result was the election of Jelferson and 
Burr by a small majority; but they both received the same 
number of electoral votes — seventy - tliree. By the pro¬ 
visions of the Constitution the choice between them was 
referred to the House of Representatives. A long and 
exciting strugg-le ensued, and it was not till the thirty-sixth 
ballot that by adroit management the friends of Jefferson 
induced Representative Bayard to break the lock. He 
received one majority and was declared elected to the first 
place on the ticket. Neither .Jefferson nor Burr took a 
part in this contest. The Federal party thus passed from 
power never to be restored. 

131. Thus was found another iveak x>luce i\\Q 
Constitution, by which the candidate intended by the people 
for the second office within their gift might attain the first. 
It now became evident that this kind of tie, instead of 
being an accident, would be likely to recur at every elec¬ 
tion. Both of these defects w^ere removed by the Twelfth 
Amendment, ratified iji 1804. 

132. Previous to this time the members of the elec¬ 
toral colleges had voted their own individual preferences, 
there having been no party nominations. Four years before, 
beside Jefferson and x\dams, there had been as many as 
ten presidential candidates voted for, most of them the 
“ favorite sons ” of particular States. But now party cau¬ 
cuses were secretly held, and the electors were working in 
the harness of a regular nomination. 


CHAPTER V. 

JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1801 — 1800 . 

133. The new Tresideat was a ripe scholar, a bold 
reformer, the founder of the Republican party, and the 
author of the Declaration. He was an ardent supporter 
of the doctrine of State Rights, and led the opposition to 
the Federalists. He found great difficulty in managing 



JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 157 

the government according to his theory, and became con¬ 
vinced that the Executive needed en¬ 
larged powers. Though not brilliant in 
oratory he had the reputation of “a 
matchless pen.” Every man in his 
Cabinet was college-bred, and in some 
peculiar way identified with knowledge. 

134. His administration began by 
acts of reform and economy. 
The army and navy were reduced, and 
many government offices were abolished. These retrench¬ 
ments enabled Congress to suppress the odious internal 
taxes, and still provide for the gradual payment of the 
National Debt. The violators of the Sedition Act were 
released from prison, and the period required for naturali¬ 
zation was reduced from fourteen to five years. These 
popular reforms kept him in the presidential chair for eight 
years. On re - election he received eleven times as many 
electoral votes as his rival, Pinckney. 

135. The piindiase of Louisiana was regarded 

by Jefferson as the 
greatest act of his ad¬ 
ministration. This ter¬ 
ritory belonged to 
France, and embraced 
that vast country west 
SEAT. OF LOUISIANA. of the Mlssisslppi 

River to the Pacific ocean, and from New Mexico to British 
America. The purchase grew out of the French trouble 
of the previous administrations. By royal decree the port 
of New Orleans was closed against the commerce of the 
United States. This cut off the West from all access to 
the ocean, and it became evident that its commerce had 
nothing but ruin to expect. Alarm spread through the 
entire West, and Jefferson saw but one plan to pursue. 
He instructed the American minister at Paris to propose 
the purchase of the Louisiana territory. 









158 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Napoleon, who needed money to carry on his wars, enter¬ 
tained the idea, and a treaty was made by which, for the 
sum of fifteen million dollars, the area of the Union was 
more than doubled. This secured the entire control of the 
MississipjDi River, which Jefferson foresaw would one day 
be a great commercial highway of the nation. After years 
showed the purchase to have been dictated by the wisest 
statesmanship. 

136. An ExjAorinff Mxpedition^ under Captains 
Lewis and Clarke, was fitted out to visit the newly acquired 
territory. The President and the people wished to know 
what the value of the country was; what rivers, mountains, 
animals, plants, minerals, and tribes of Indians, were to be 
found there. They wished to see whether the people were 
peaceable or warlike, and whether they would sell the title 
to their lands. 

The expedition carried provisions, camp - equipage, fire¬ 
arms, and presents to the Indians. They left St. Louis, 
then a small trading post, sailing up the Missouri River, 
and were gone nearly three years, encamping two winters 
in the wilderness. Finding a rivulet near the source of the 
Missouri, they followed it into the Columbia, which they 
traversed to the Pacific. They returned by a similar route, 
and safely reached St. Louis. 

It was supposed by many that they had died of starva¬ 
tion or been killed by the Indians. They found buffaloes so 
abundant that a herd filled a river a mile wide, and the 
party stopped an hour to see the animals pass. They 
found Indians before unknown, the Dakotas and the 
Shoshones, and reported some of the tribes as being very 
poor and miserable, and others as having houses, guns, and 
horses. They knew nothing of civilized life, and one chief 
was so much pleased with dried squash that he said it was 
the best food he had ever tasted except sugar, of which he 
had once eaten a single lump. 

137. John Marshall, who became Chief-Justice 
about this time and held the high office for thirty-five 


JEFFERSON^S ADMINISTRATION. 


159 


years, was the founder of American law. Heretofore judi¬ 



cial decisions were based entirely 
on precedents established in 
English courts. It was Mar¬ 
shall’s great work to adapt these 
principles of law to a republican 
form of government. He left a 
large number of important deci¬ 
sions as guides to the courts 
of future generations. 


138. Th e Ba Thar If States 
in northern Africa had long 
maintained a lawless supremacy 
in the Mediterranean sea by 
preying on the commerce ot 


JOHN MARSHALL. 


other nations and claiming as slaves the crews and pas¬ 
sengers of all the vessels they took. It was a common 
thing for notices to be read in American churches of the 
captivity of some member of the congregation in Algiers. 
A sum of money was then raised as a ransom — frequently 
as high as $4,000 for a single individual. These sums 
were frequently paid by the government. As many as six 
thousand Americans had been held in captivity, and 
millions of dollars paid as ransom. 

In common with the European powers, the United States, 
for seventeen years, paid an annual tribute of $23,000 to 
to buy exemption from the piratical attacks of these fierce 
little states. But when a dispute arose about the terms of 
payment, Jefferson resolved to endure the humiliation no 
longer. The people now saw that they had too long 
encouraged these exactions by unresistingly paying them. 

139. Military operations began in 1801. The 
American navy consisted of six vessels. Four of these, 
under Commodore Preble, were sent to the Mediterranean, 
and the port of Tripoli was blockaded. Hostilities con¬ 
tinued four years, and then the Bashaw, fearing defeat, pro¬ 
posed settlement. A treaty was made by which the com- 





160 


TUB MODEL HISTORY. 


merce of the United States was to be exempt from tribute. 
This chastisement of a piratical nation was applauded by 
civilized countries, and gave a new impetus to our growing 
trade with the Mediterranean. 

140. Fvesli tvouhles with EjiglaLicl arose during 
this presidency, and continued till they resulted in a 
destructive war. England and France were still enemies, 
and so intent were they in injuring each other that they 
had little regard for the rights and interests of other coun¬ 
tries. While France was victorious on the land, England 
had made good her boast of being “mistress of the 
sea.” 

The American position of neutrality gave our merchant¬ 
men very profitable employment in carrying goods to Euro¬ 
pean nations. In order to cut off these supplies to France, 
England declared the French coast in a state of blockade. 
Napoleon retaliated by proclaiming a blockade of British 
ports. The result was a nearly total extinction of Ameri¬ 
can commerce. 

141. The tenure of allegiance in the two coun¬ 
tries had widely differed. The American doctrine was that 
a foreigner by a legal process could be naturalized and thus 
become an American citizen. The English idea was pithily 
expressed, “ Once an Englishman, always an Englishman.” 
European nations had always asserted that citizenship 
and political allegiance could not be voluntarily surren¬ 
dered. 

143. Because of this doctrine the Might of Search 
was a claim which had long been made by England, and 
had proved very irritating to the Americans. It was an 
assertion that English vessels had a right to overhaul and 
search American ships on the high seas, and take from them 
any seaman of English birth. England had not been able 
to man her fleets by voluntary enlistments, and had resorted 
to the policy of impressment by seizing persons of sup¬ 
posed English birth where ever found on the high seas. 
Beside this, the higher wages offered by the Americans 


JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 


161 


was a great temptation to English seamen to desert the 
British service. In order to capture these deserters Eng¬ 
lish men-of-war had repeatedly detained American vessels 
and impressed American seamen on the mere suspicion that 
they were British subjects. At one time there were six 
thousand names on the books of the State department as 
having been thus impressed. Presidents Washington, 
Adams, and Jefferson, had often protested against this 
pretended right, but without effect. 

143. Ail irritating event soon occurred in conse¬ 
quence of these misunderstandings. In 1807 an American 
frigate, the Chesapeake, refusing to surrender four men, 
was fired upon by an English ship, the Leopard. After a 
loss of twenty men the Chesapeake struck her colors. The 
men were taken away. It was soon ascertained that three 
of these were native American citizens. 

144. Nleasiires of retallation were often em¬ 
ployed during these complications. The President issued 
a proclamation forbidding all armed British vessels to 
enter our ports until England should give satisfaction for 
the past and security for the future. 

145. The famous Orders in Couneil soon came 
from the British government, prohibiting neutral vessels 
from trading with France, except on the payment of a 
tribute to England. 

146. Napoleon immediately retaliated by his Milan 
JDeeree, confiscating all vessels which submitted to the 
search or paid the tribute. 

147. Ail Em ba rgo was passed by Congress, by which 
all American sailors and vessels were called home and 
detained, and foreign vessels forbidden to take cargoes 
from our ports. The enforcement of the embargo reduced 
the commerce of the country to a mere coasting trade. 
Sailors were thrown out of employment, and there was no 
market for our surplus products. Thus matters steadily 
drifted toward war. 

148. Aaron JBiirr was one of the most brilliant men 




162 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 



of the period. But he was thought by many to be unprin¬ 
cipled and ambitious. When he 
became a candidate for the g'ov- 
ernorship of New York, Hamil¬ 
ton, believing him to be an 
unsafe man, was instrumental in 
securing his defeat. Burr took 
this as a pei’sonal affront, and 
challenged Hamilton to a duel. 
Popular sentiment did not then 
condemn this barbarous manner 
of settling differences, and Ham¬ 
ilton thought himself required 
AARON BURR. to acccpt. They met on the 

Hudson a few miles above New York, and Hamilton was 
killed at the first shot. 



By this false, cruel code 
of honor, the nation wa; 
robbed of one of its ablesi 
and most pojmlar citizens 
The matter created intense 
excitement throughout the 
country. Hamilton was the 
leader of tlie Federalists, 
and his deatli rolled upon 
Burr the odium of a great 
jiarty. The ]iress was 
mostly in the hands of his 
enemies, and it completely 
swept away his nolitical 

ALEXANDER HAMILTON. • n " 

influence. 

149. suhneqiient careev was srloomv and dis¬ 

astrous. Finding kimself shunned and distrusted in the 
East, he purchased boats with the professeil object of 
descending the Ohio River and founding a colony in the 
neuly-purchased Louisiana. But careless disclosures by 
his associates, and dark hints given by himself, led to the 


JEFFERSON '8 ADMINISTRATION. 


163 


suspicion that he aimed rather to seize New Orleans and 
establish a separate government in the southwest, or to 
make an armed invasion of Mexico, overthrow the Spanish 
authority there, and set up a republic. He was watched 
and arrested; but, there not being sufficient proof, he was 
discharged, though never acquitted in the minds of his 
political opponents. 

150. The estimates of historians differ much 
respecting this wonderfully gifted man. The quarrel seems 
to have been the work of the partisan press. The bitter¬ 
ness of newspaper controver.sy surpassed any thing known 
in later years. It is asserted that Burr was goaded to 
desperation by malicious assaults made under the garb of 
superior virtue claimed for Hamilton. Many writers at 
the present day do not believe that Burr’s design was to 
divide the Union, but that it was his own silence, misinter¬ 
preted by enemies, that led to the treasonable supposition. 

151. OA/owas first settled in 1788 by a company of 
forty-seven New England pioneers. They sailed down 


the Ohio River and 
settled at Marietta. 
It was a part of the 
Northwest Territory, 
organized in 1787, 
and including all the 
country between the 
Ohio and Mississippi 



SEAL OP OHIO. 


Rivers and the Lakes. The next year another coinpanv 
began the village of Losanteville, a name afterward changed 
to Cincinnati. Indian hostilities prevailed for five vears. 
But emigration soon poured over the mountains, and 20,000 
people settled in Ohio in one year. 

At that time the country seemed very far west, and the 
man who had seen Lake Michigan or the mouth of the Mis¬ 
souri was considered a great traveler. In 1802 Ohio had a 
sufficient population (60,000) to entitle it to admission as 
a State. 



164 


TEE MODEL HISTORY. 


152. The Foreign Slave Trade had existed 
during the entire history of the American colonies. For 
nearly two hundred years vessels had sailed to the coast of 
Africa, bought negroes whom the native princes had taken 
captive in war, and brought them in loathsome holds to the 
United States to be sold into perpetual bondage. It is 
estimated that a quarter of a million of those who had been 
purchased on the African coast for transportation died 
under the horrors of the “ middle passage,” and were buried 
in the waters of the Atlantic. 

It had been agreed when the Constitution was framed 
that there should be no interference with the slave - trade 
for twenty years, which time expired January 1, 1808. A 
year before that time, the President, in his annual message, 
congratulated Congress that the time was so near when it 
would be possible to “ forbid a traffic which the morality, 
the reputation, and the best interests of the country, had 
long been eager to proscribe.” 

153. An exciting debate then arose in Congress, 
but no legislation was accomplished for some time. All 
parties seemed willing to abolish the foreign slave-trade, 
but they could not agree how to do it. At last, under the 
leadership of Josiah Quincy, a law was passed forbidding 
the importation of slaves from any foreign country after the 
year 1807. Only a few months before, a law inaking the 
slave-trade illegal received the royal assent in England. 

Slavery had continued to exist in all the American colo¬ 
nies, except Massachusetts, till the Revolution; but during 
the next forty years it was abolished in all the northern 
States. The slave-trade between the States, not being 
included in this prohibition, continued to flourish in the 
South until slavery was abolished during the war of the 
Rebellion. 

^ lo4. This legislation respecting the importation of slaves 
did not bring the eml of the trofjic. British and 
American subjects continued the trade, sailing under 
Spanish or Portuguese flags. The slave-ships were more 


JEFFERSON ^8 ADMINISTRATION. 


165 


crowd6d than beforo, and it often happened that the miser¬ 
able negroes were thrown overboard when the risk of cap¬ 
ture seemed ffreat. 

In 1811 the United States joined with Kngland in making 
the slave-trade a felony and punishable with long impris¬ 
onment at hard labor. In 182:^ it was declared to be 
piracy, and the traders were made punishable with death. 
The navies of the leading civilized nations finally united 
ill breaking up the traffic. 

155. xA. bill authorizing the Coast Survey was passed 
late in Jefferson’s term. This was a vast and important 
work, and although it has been prosecuted for sixty years 
it is still incomplete. 

156. Ttie Steaulhoat was the most important inven¬ 
tion made during this administration. The first person to 
make one was William Henry, beforo the Revolution. The 
poet Darwin had prophetically said, 

“ Soon shall thy arm, unconquerecl steam, afar 
Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car.” 

A few years later James Ramsay built a vessel which 
reached a speed of three miles an hour against the current 
of the Potomac. John Fitch 
built one which ran on the Dela¬ 
ware, and he predicted that steam¬ 
ships would one day cross the 
Atlantic. ^ 

157. But the first steamboat 
constructed on the plan of those 
used at the present day was built 
at New York by Robert Ful¬ 
ton in 1807. He provided his 
rude boat with machinery, mostly 
of his own invention. When it 
was being built it was called 
“Fulton’s Folly,’’ and every one 
laughed at the idea. Many persons gravely declared that, 






166 


THE MODEL ITTSTORY. 


even if successful, steamboats would destroy the business 
of sloops, coaches, and stages; and that they would make 
the water in the ilvors so muddy that all the fishes would 
die. Fulton bitterly wrote in his diary that during the 
construction of his boat no one had ever made to him a 
single encouraging remark about it. 

158. When the day of trial came, the boat left 

the pier, which was 
crowded with peo¬ 
ple. It moved a 
short distance and 
stojiped. Hisses and 
sneers came from 
the crowd. Fulton 
went below, re - ad¬ 
justed the machin¬ 
ery, and again the vessel moved onward. Before it had gone 
a quarter of a mile doubters were convinced, and shouts of 
applause arose. The boat was named Clermont. It made 
the trip from New York to Albany, against wind and cur¬ 
rent, at the rate of five miles an hour. Showers of sparks 
flew from the smoke-stack; the noise of the paddles was 
great; and when it passed other vessels in the night their 
crews sometimes hid themselves below deck, and turned 
pale in fear of the monster! Such was the beginning of 
steam-navigation in our country and the world. 

150. iY oah Webster was one of the truly great men 
ol America. At the age of twenty-four he conceived the 
idea of preparing a series of books for use in American 
schools. Nothing of the kind had been attempted this side 
of the Atlantic, and in literary matters, aside from theoloo-- 
ical and political writings, the country was entirelv depend- 
dent on England. 

^ As early as 1783 Webster published the American Spell¬ 
ing-Book, which immediately went into general use. He 
obtained a home copyright. This was the beginnino- of 
our copyright system. The history of this book is Truly 








JEFFERSON 'S ADMT2^TSTRATI0N. 


167 


wonderful. Though humble in form and modest in its 


pretensions, it lias sustained a 
remarkable celebrity throug'h all 
the changes in our history. It 
taught the art of spelling to 
whole generations of girls and 
boys; and to this day about a 
million copies are sold annually. 
Its total sales have been more 
than seventy million copies. 



1 00 . His Dicfionavy was 

first published in an abridged 
form in 1806. At the close of 
the Revolution his friend, Dr. 
Goodrich, one of the professors 


KOAIl W'EUiTIill. 


of Yale College, suggested to "Webster the compilation of 
a dictionary which would instruct the people in the pronun¬ 
ciation, orthography, and meaning of all the words in the 
language. The thing was seen to be very desirable in order 
that we might become a nation of one uniform lano’uao'e, 
as well as of one government; but the magnitude of the 
undertaking deterred him from attemjjting its execution. 
Finally he began; and his Unabridged Dictionary of the 
English Languag'e is the rich result of his forty years of 
labor. It, with its later though powerful rival, "Worces¬ 
ter’s Dictionary, has aided us in escaping differences in 
spelling and pronunciation, and in becoming a nation of 
one language. 

“ The peasant of the Apennines drives his goats home at 
evening over hills that look down on six jirovinces, none of 
whose dialects he can s])eak. Here a journey of three thou¬ 
sand miles changes not the sound or meaning of a word.” 
The book has gone wherever the language is spoken, and 
its mission is probably only just begun. 

101 . The first Foreign Missiotiarf/ Soeiety 

was formed in W^illiams College, at Williamstown, Massa¬ 
chusetts, in 1806. A student named Samuel J. Mills met 



168 


THE MODEL HISTORY, 


four of his fellow students in a grove for meditation and 
prayer. A thunderstorm arose and drove them to the shel¬ 
ter of a haystack. At this meeting the conversation turned 
to the moral condition of Asia, and the thought occurred 
to Mills that they might carry the gospel to the people in 
that ancient land. Four of them agreed to the suggestion, 
and they separated filled with the great idea. They talked 
with their fellow-students, formed a society, and sent dele¬ 
gates to other colleges to excite a similar spirit. Four 
years afterward, as the result of the haystack prayer-meet- 
ing, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions was formed. 

Mills and his companions went to Asia, and two of them 
died in the work they had undertaken. Before long the 
• missionary spirit pervaded all classes of religious people. 
At the present time the American Board has five hundred 
and eighty-seven missions under its charge, in nearly all 
parts of the world. From them a knowledge of the gospel 
and the blessings of civilization are spreading through hea¬ 
thendom. 

162. The manners of society (it the capital were 
greatly changed when the Republicans came into power. 
Having opposed empty display, they now introduced severe 
simplicity. Jefferson abolished court etiquette and every 
thing resembling it. This endeared him to the common 
people, and he tried hard to retain their favor. Instead 
of going to the Capitol in a coach - and - six, he rode to 
Congress on horseback, unattended. He hitched his horse 
to a post, and went to the chamber dressed in plain clothes 
to make his address. He afterward did not do even this, 
but sent a “ Message ” to Congress by a secretary, as has 
been the custom ever since. He did away with the Presi¬ 
dential levees, which were afterward re-established by 
Mrs. Madison; but on New Year’s Day and the Fourth 
of July he threw open his doors to all who chose to come. 
He refused to allow his birth-day to be celebrated, conceal- 


169 


JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 


ing the date for that purpose. This simplicity at the capi- 
tal was felt throughout the nation. 

163. Party sjjirit was exceedingly bitter during this 
entire presidency. The Federalists sneered at his “level¬ 


ing system.” The decided views of Jefferson made hii 


many enemies. It was charged that his want of official 
dignity brought contempt upon the country. His wish to 
extend the right of voting excited the alarm of the Fed¬ 
eralists, who believed that suffrage should be carefully 
limited. Newspapers teemed with irritating editorials- 
and partisan journals descended to the vilest slander and 
abuse. 

Jefferson removed twenty-six Federalist officers, but it 
was not because they were opposed to him in politics. He 
declined to make an official tour. The legislatures of 
fourteen States requested him to run for a third term. 
The wisdom of much that he did has been questioned 
to the present day; but he went out of office with a 
treasury replenished, an army and navy reduced, the public 
debt diminished, and the sanction of the nation on his 
labors. He had the rare reward of seeing his popularity 
with his party greater on leaving office than it. was on 
enterino’ it. 


164. The leading issue in the pvesUleiitial election 
was the question of war with England. The Federalists 
opposed a declaration of war and the Republicans favored 
it; and the election-day was to decide whether the second 
war wdth Great Britain should have an existence. The 
Federalists nominated Charles C. Pinckney. The Republi¬ 
cans named the intimate friend of Jefferson, James Madi¬ 
son, who was committed, though unwillingly, to the policy 
of no longer submitting to the wrongs from England 
against which we had been protesting for fifteen years. 
Pinckney received forty-eight electoral votes, and Madison 
one hundred and twenty-two. George Clinton was elected 
Vice-President. 


8 




170 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


CHAPTER VI. 

MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1800 — 1817. 

165. TJie new JPresiclent had been a leading advo¬ 
cate of the Constitution, a senator from 
Virginia, and the Secretary of State 
during the whole of the previous admin¬ 
istration. He had laid up a great store 
of learning which he used with much 
skill; and he always exhausted the sub¬ 
ject upon which he wrote or spoke. His 
success was not so much owing to great 
natural abilities as to strict accuracv and 

intense application. 

166. The Indians residing in the Indiana Territory 
had long shown signs of hostility toward the settlers on the 
frontier. They complained of the encroachments of white 
men, that their hunting grounds were taken without their 
consent, and that their tribes were forced by the govern¬ 
ment to deed away their lands for a trifling consideration. 
Injuries done by the chief, Tecumseh, and his followers, 
induced the government to send General William Henry 
Harrison with a small force to obtain satisfaction or to fight. 
Having arrived at their principal town near the present city 
of Lafayette, he was met by a deputation of chiefs, and it 
was decided that no hostilities should be commenced before 
the next day, when a conference was to be held. 

167. In violation of this contract Harrison’s camp was 
furiously attacked before daylight. The soldiers, fearing 
bad faith, had slept on their arms, and were prepared for 
resistance. A bloody battle was fought, mostly in the night. 
The Indians were defeated and scattered and their country 
was laid waste. This Battle of Tippecanoe broke up 
the confederacy of Tecumseh, and ended the apprehensions 
of an Indian war. 




MADISOIi'S ADMimSTHATIOIf. 171 

168. The difficulty with England continued to increase. 
The prospects of peace were very slight. British 
cruisers had already captured nine hundred American ves¬ 
sels for violation of her “ Orders.” Compromise was talked 
of, but It could never be made out in a manner consistent 
with the supposed honor of the parties. George III, 
j though still on the throne, was very old, and the British 
ministry would not surrender their “ancient and well- 
I established right ” of search. On three separate occasions 
the opportunity of a peaceable settlement was wasted by 
listening to the suggestions of that very sensitive thing, 

I national pride. The elections had plainly shown the drift 
of public sentiment, and the people clamored for war. 

1812 . 

' 169. A proclamation of war was accordingly 

made, and General Henry Dearborn, of Massachusetts, was 
appointed commander - in - chief. The regular army was 
ordered to be increased from ten thousand to twenty-five 
thousand, and the President was authorized to call out the 
militia of the states to the number of one hundred thou- 
sand. Only five days after this declaration of war the 
British government, unaware of this hostile decree, repealed 
the famous Orders in Council, thus removing the imme¬ 
diate occasion of hostility. For a fourth time the diplomacy 
at Washington had missed the opportunity of peace, and the 
nation again entered into the whirlwind of war. 

170. The plan of operations was to garrison and 
defend the sea-board, and to attack and conquer Canada. 

171. The land operations of this year near the 
Canadian border resulted in total defeat and heavy loss to 
the Americans. 

172. The navy and the privateers were highly 
successful in defending the coast, making about three 
hundred captures of British merchantmen and men-of-war. 

173. The opposition of the Federal party to 
the prosecution, as well as the declaration, of war, was 





172 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


strongly felt. They said it was unconstitutional to call out 
the militia for offensive warfare, and greatly blamed the 
administration for not concluding peace on the basis of 
admitting the English right of search. Many even thought 
the offenses of England were not so great as those of 
France, and that the war was the result of party move¬ 
ments at home, rather than of injuries received from 
abroad. But Congress voted money and men, and the con¬ 
test went forward. The people supported the war policy 
by the re-election of Madison. 

ISIS. 

174. At the beginning of the year the American forces 
were divided into tilvee (iTmtes — the Army of the West, 
under General Harrison; the Army of the Center, under 
General Dearborn; and the Army of the North, under Gen¬ 
eral Hampton. 

175. The AvTYiy of the West was to recover Michi¬ 
gan, lost the year before. Having succeeded in this, it 
joined the forces of Dearborn. 

176. The A.T7yiy of the (Jefltev directed every energy 
toward the invasion of Canada. Dearborn took several 
fortified places on the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers; 
but he soon withdrew his troops, and the British regained 
all they had lost, and made several raids into New York, 
plundering and burning. 

177. The jLvoiy of the Hovth was ordered to join 
Dearborn in an expedition against Montreal. This it failed 
to do, and the campaign was abandoned. 

178. Engagements on tfihe Cttld sect were frequent 
during the year. A severe naval battle on Lake Erie 
resulted in a complete victory for the Americans, which 
Commodore Perry announced to General Harrison in these 
short and modest words: “ We have met the enemy and 
they are ours:'' The sea-fights resulted in about equal 
.success to the two navies. In one of these encounters the 
American captain, Lawrence, as he was being carried 


MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION. 


173 


below mortally wounded, uttered the words which have 
ever since been the motto of our navy: '‘^DonH give up 
the 

179. Being angered by the injustice of some bad white 
men, and stirred up by Tecumseh, the Cveeh Indians 
in Alabama made an assault upon the settlers, and 
butchered several hundred of them, including women and 
children. “Blood for blood ! ” was the cry that arose at 
the news of this massacre. General Andrew Jackson was 
sent against the Indians. He cooped them up in the bend 
of a river, slew fifteen hundred warriors, and nearly 
exterminated the nation. 

1811 . 

180. During this year the celebrated Hartford Con~ 
ventiO}l was held. It was composed of leading Federal¬ 
ists, who thus convened to protest against the war, and to 
propose constitutional amendments respecting restrictions 
on commerce, the declaration of war, and the admission of 
new States. It first resolved that the President should 
serve but one term. The war party hastened to condemn 
the objects of this convention as treasonable, and it became 
the final step in the decline and downfall of the Federal 
Party. 

181. The plan of operations embraced thvee cani- 
paiffns — the northern, the central, and the southern. 

182. The Worthevil, under Generals Scott and Rip¬ 
ley, was along the Canadian borders. The Americans 
were successful in battles near Niagara Falls, and in a 
severe naval contest on Lake Champlain. 

183. The Central was directed against an army 
recently arrived under General Ross and advancing against 
Washington. The city was taken without difficulty, and 
the capitol and most of the other public buildings were 
burned in retaliation for similar acts by the Americans. It 
was during one of the bombardments of this campaign 
that the Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis S, 



174 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Key, an American detained on the enemy’s ships and an 
eye witness of “ the rocket’s red glare, the bomb bursting 
in air.” 

184. The Southern was laid at New Orleans. The 
bloody battle there fought by a newly arrived British army 
under General Packenham and the American forces under 
General .Jackson, resulted in complete victory for the latter. 
.Jackson’s army was behind breastworks, and his loss was 
so small that it may be called “ our tearless battle.” The 
British loss was twenty-four hundred — the heaviest En¬ 
gland has ever sustained in America. It is interesting to 
note that this battle was fought two weeks after the treaty 
of peace was signed, which was then crossing the Atlantic 
in a sailing vessel. Now it would be flashed under the 
ocean in an instant! 

185. Proposals for peuee had long been under 
discussion by commissioners of the two governments assem¬ 
bled at Ghent, in Belgium, and now that England’s troubles 
with France were about ending with the overthrow of 
Napoleon, no motive existed for the continuation of the war. 

186. A. treuty of peciee was accordingly ratified, by 
which conquests were restored and matters placed as they 
had been before the war. The absurd treaty only signified 
that the two countries, having been at war, now agreed to 
be at peace. Not one of the questions about which all this 
blood was shed, was settled, or even mentioned. It was a 
struggle without results, and ended because of mutual 
weariness. In fact, a better treaty could have been secured 
before the war than after it. Then the British government 
was willing to disclaim any intention to commit arbitrary 
impressment, leaving the subject open for debate and set¬ 
tlement after the close of the war with France. 

The act of impressment was discontinued, but the right 
was not surrendered. The war was full of disaster to both 
countries, ruinous to American commerce, and extremely 
unpopular with large numbers of the people. 

187. On the return of peace the country was filled 


MADISON administration. 


175 


with joy. All parties looked forward to a time of pros¬ 
perity and growth. Since the French and Indian War the 
country had had but little real peace. Kxciting questions 
tending toward war agitated the public mind even when the 
musket and the cannon were not heard in the land. The 
thirty years since the Revolution were little more than a 
protracted armistice, and not till 1814 did we secure a 
permanent peace. 

188. The Third Census^ taken in 1810, showed a 
population of over seven millions (7,239,881), of whom one 
million were slaves. 

189. The fincDlces of the country were in a deplorable 
condition when peace returned — no money in the treasury, a 
debt of one hundred and twenty millions, commerce ruined, 
and all kinds of industry depressed. Banks had stopped 
payments, coin was scarce, and there was no currency that 
commanded the public confidence. Bills, small notes, and 
tickets were issued by private banks, towns, and even single 
individuals. At length Congress was obliged to step in to 
bring order from all this monetary confusion. 

190. The charter of Hamilton’s National Bank had 
expired in 1811. Near the close of the administration 
another Bank was chartered for twenty years, with a capital 
of thirty-five millions. It began operations at Philadelphia, 
and, with its branches in other cities, supplied the people 
with paper money redeemable at all times with gold and 
silver. It performed all the financial business of the gov¬ 
ernment without charge, receiving as its compensation the 
use of the national deposits. 

191. In honor of Louis, the king of France, the French 
had given the name of Louisiana to the whole of their 
vast possessions in the valley of the Mississippi. Soon after 
the Louisiana Purchase the area now included in the State 
of Louisiana was organized into the Territory of Orleans. 
The rest of this vast acquisition was called the District of 
Louisiana. Numerous French settlements already existed 
in the Territory. The city of New Orleans was founded in 





176 


THE MODEL HISTOMY. 


192. Indiana 



1718, and remains to the present time a flourishing city with 
French peculiarities. Louisiana entered the Union in 1812. 

was first settled by Frenchmen at 
Vincennes. In 1800 
it was organized as 
the Indiana Territory. 
William Henry Har¬ 
rison, afterward Presi¬ 
dent of the United 
SEAL OP mciANA. Statcs, ,was the first 

governor. Like Ohio, it became involved in warfare with 
the Indians. It was admitted as a State in 1816 under a 
wise and liberal constitution. 

193. Immigration into the United States steadily 
increased in times of peace. For the first twenty vears 
after the Revolution the average foreign immigration was 
about six thousand annually. Then for about ten years, in 
consequence of the difficulties with England and France, 
it nearly ceased. But during the last year of Madison’s 
term twenty thousand foreigners arrived. This seemed an 
immense number then. The pioneers penetrated the deep 
forests, planted settlements, and laid out towns. The fur 
trade led to the settlement of the northwest Territories. 
The whole country was about to witness a state of growth 
and activitv. 


194. Several great names should be mentioned here. 
Among the orators noted for their eloquence were John 
Randolph of Virginia, and John 0. Calhoun of South 
Carolina. ^ Henry Clay of Kentucky made his first great 
speeches in Congress on public improvements and domestic 
manufactures. Daniel Webster first appeared in Congress 
in 1813. Josiah Quincy was celebrated for his legal attain¬ 
ments, and De Witt Clinton for his patriotism and perse¬ 
verance in securing internal improvements. Washington 
Allston was probably the greatest historical painter, and 
William E. Channing the greatest ethical writer, that 
America has produced. 


MADISON ADMINISTRATION. 


177 


195. Several literary men of ability flourished. 
Philip Freneau was the first American poet of note; Joel 
Barlow, the author of the Columbiad; AYilliam Wirt, the 
biographer; Charles Brockden Brown, the first American 
novelist; and John Marshall, the biographer of Washing¬ 
ton. In the half century ending in 1815, the literature of 
America is to be found chiefly in newspaper essays on 

|j political topics, some of them being of great ability; “but 

I the editorial portions of the paper, and no small part of 

the communications consisted of declamatory calumnies 
expressed in a style of vulgar ferocity.” The epithets, 
rogue, liar, and villain, were bandied about between editors 
without any thought of their coarseness. Yet the news¬ 
papers of that day had an influence on the minds of their 
readers far beyond that of much abler journals in after times. 

196. At this time manufactures had become impor¬ 
tant; but the power employed, with the exception of saw¬ 
mills, was nearly entirely that of men and animals. Shops 
were small, and nowhere was a large force of hands employed. 
It was not till the present century that the mode of manu¬ 
facturing was inaugurated by using the 2 :)Ower of falling 
water. In 1813, Francis C. Lowell was so strongly con¬ 
vinced of the practicability of cotton manufacture by water¬ 
power, that he put in operation at Waltham, near Boston, 
the first mill in the world that converted raw cotton into 
finished cloth. 

Years before this, spinning by machinery had been 
introduced into England by Arkwright, the power-loom for 
weaving cotton cloth by Cartwright, and calico-printing by 
Peel. These inventions were used by Lowell. His experi¬ 
ment was a success, and his example was followed by 
others. Gradually New England abandoned agriculture 
and engaged in commerce and manufacturing. When steam 
camje to be used as a motive power, this movement was 
greatly hastened. 

197. The American Bible Society was founded 
in 1816, in the city of New York, by sixty men of learning 
8 * 





178 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


and philanthropy. The object was “to establish a general 
Bible Institution for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures 
without note or comment.” Before the invention of print¬ 
ing, when the Bible was produced only by copyists, it was 
the most expensive book in the world. A single copy cost 
the entire wages of a laboring man for fifteen years. At 
the time of the Revolution the cheapest edition cost two 
dollars. At the present time the entire Scriptures can 
be had for forty cents, and a Testament for ten cents, 
so that the Bible has become the cheapest book in the 
world. 

The Society has had a period of unbroken prosperity for 
sixty years, during which time it has circulated thirty-seven 
million copies of the Scriptures in over two hundred 
different styles of type and binding, and in sixty different 
languages. Over fifteen million dollars have been donated 
to it for publishing purposes. Its publishing house — 
called the Bible House — on Broadway, New York, is an 
imposing structure. 

198. The first Savings Bank was established in 
Boston in the same year. The object was to collect by 
deposit the surplus earnings of poor and laboring people, 
though the banks were soon patronized by the rich. The 
funds were received in any amount, put at iuterest, and 
could be withdrawn by the depositors at any time. E-very 
depositor, however poor, thus became a capitalist, for there 
is no capital except the savings of labor. The plan was 
found to be a great promoter of industry and thrift among 
the people. Millions of dollars were thus saved for future 
use, that would otherwise have been squandered in idle 
pleasures or in unwise investment. Banks flourished and 
increased in numbers. There are now about eight hundred 
of them in the country, with about four million depositors 
and about one thousand million deposits. Recent failure 
of some of these banks has occasioned much suffering and 
distrust. 

199. The American Colonisation Society was 


MADISON'S ADMIj!^ISTMATIO]^. 


179 


also formed near the close of this presidency. Henry Clay 
was one of its presidents. Large tracts of land were 
obtained on the w^estern coast of Africa, and inducements 
were held out for the emancipated slaves and free colored 
people of the United States to migrate thither, where thev 
I could have happy homes and free governments. 

I 1 he Southern States entered earnestly into the scheme, 
in order to clear their country of the free-born and eman¬ 
cipated colored people. It was proposed to build up a 
great community, which w^ould send out its colonies along 
[ tlie coast and into the interior to civilize and enlighten 
Africa and to break up the foreign slave trade. 

It was a philanthropic, as well as a political, scheme, and, 
though Clay and other prominent men in Congress gave it 
their support, it was without much patronage from the gov¬ 
ernment. A republic, holding an honorable place among the 
nations, was thus built up with churches, schools, and free 
institutions modeled after our own. Its capital was called 
Monrovia, in honor of President Monroe. After several 
years the philanthropic feeling of the country was diverted 
to other objects, and the scheme of colonization was aban¬ 
doned. The present population of the colony is seven 
hundred thousand. 

200. The attitude of parties remained as in 
former years. For the last time as a distinct party the 
Federalists attempted to gain control of the government. 
Reduced to a hopeless minority by its support of the Alien 
and Sedition Laws, by division among its leaders, and by 
its opposition to the war, it had no chances of again rising 
into power. There was no issue before the country, except 
the strong desire of the party out of power to get in, and 
the party in power to stay in. 

201. The Republicans nominated as their eandidates 
James Monroe, of Virginia, for the first, and Daniel D. 
Tompkins, of New York, for the second, place on their ticket. 
The Federalists despondingly named Rufus King, who 
received thirty-four electoral votes. The Republicans 




180 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


swept the country, electing Monroe with one hundred and 
eighty-three votes. 


CHAPTER VII. 

MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1817—1S2S. 

202. The hxexv President had been a Revolutionary 
officer, governor of Virginia, a foreign 
minister, and a member of Madison’s cabi- 
inet. In politics he was a moderate Re¬ 
publican, and he carried out the general 
policy of his predecessor. Like him he 
was more prudent and painstaking than 
brilliant. His integrity was proverbial. 

203. His administration was called the 
era of good feeling. Quietness in 
politics was a new thing in the country, and onlv existed 
now because one party was so strong as to have everything 
its own way. Monroe traveled in the eastern and northern 
States, visiting the military posts to become acquainted 
with the capacities of the country should fresh troubles 
arise. The old issue of war-time having passed away, there 
was but little politics in the country. The nation grew. 

204. The Seminole Indinns in Georgia had 
become odious to the people of the South by prov^iding an 
asylum for fugitive slaves, and by making hostile raids into 
the surrounding settlements. The chief cause of the com¬ 
plaint and campaign against them was the hope of getting 
their land for the use of white men. General Andrew 
Jackson followed them to their retreat, defeated them in 
several skirmishes, and destroyed their villages. He then 
proceeded to Pensacola, where some of the Indians had 
obtained provisions. On the plea that protection had thus 
been furnished them, he took possession of the town and 
sent the Spanish garrison to Havana. 

This act of hostility toward a foreign and friendly power 




3I0NR0E^S ADMINISTRATION. 


181 


excited much unfavorable comment throughout the country. 
The President and Congress justified the act, but ordered 
that the town should be given up whenever the Spanish 
should demand it. 

205. The acquisition of Florida resulted from 
this raid of Jackson. Seeing that the defense of the prov¬ 
ince would cost more than it was worth, the king of Spain 
proposed to cede it to the United States. It was accord¬ 
ingly bought for five million dollars. 

206. The National Debt was a subject that had 
engaged the attention of statesmen for many years. The 
payment of the principal was too remote for much consid¬ 
eration, but the question was how to raise a revenue to pay 
the annual interest. Direct taxation of the States was 
earnestly advocated; but this method was opposed and 
defeated, as being odious to the people. The discussion 
became violent and bitter. Many wise men believed it 
would result in the dissolution of the Union. 

At last John C. Callioun, then a young congressman, 
introduced a petition signed by the merchants and planters 
of South Carolina for the passage of a bill providing a 
revenue by a high tariff on imported goods, protection to 
domestic industries, and the encouragement of home pro¬ 
duction. The plan was adopted in spite of the opposition 
of New England. 

207. Thus the so-called American System of 
Frotection had its origin. Henry Clay became the chief 
advocate, and Daniel Webster the chief opponent, of the 
system in Congress. It has usually been favored by the 
eastern States, which are devoted to manufacturing, and 
opposed by the southern and western, which are chiefly 
agricultural. 

The tariff has always been a great subject of debate in 
Congress, and the arguments which bear upon it are very 
numerous and complicated. There has never been a ques¬ 
tion in the whole circle of American politics, upon which 
our statesmen, basing their opinions upon the same facts, 





182 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


and viewing it from the same standpoint of local interests, 
have arrived at such exactly opposite conclusions. 

Our legislation respecting it has been continually chang¬ 
ing. In our history since 1816, when the first protective 
tariff was enacted, we have had twenty protective tariffs, 
extending over a period of thirty-eight yeai's. We have had 
four tariffs for revejiue, extending over twenty-four years. 
We have never had entire free-trade. 

208.^ Within a few years after the system of protection 
went into operation, jiublic sentiment was completely 
reversed. New England ceased to ojipose the tariff, and 
became its strongest advocate, while the South regarded 
herself as the originator of a system which had b'^ecome 
the source of all her calamity. The cause of this 

change is one of the curious things in our political 
history. 


New England was a commercial section, and had grown 
nch in carrying cotton to England to be manufacture'd and 
in bringing back the manufactured articles. The South 
conceived the idea of cutting off this profitable business 
by building up manufactories of her own, under the pro¬ 
tection of a high tariff. The carrying trade was ruined, 
and for a few years business was stagnant in New En¬ 
gland. 

But the people were led to the reflection that if the 
South could prosper by building manufactories, they could 
also. They very soon found it more profitable to manufac¬ 
ture southern cotton than to carry it to FJngland. Slave 
labor could not compete with the' skill and enteiprise of 
New England, and the southern cotton-mills soon fell into 
the hands of those for whose ruin they had been intended 
To use a jiomely saying, “The slaveholder shook the tree 
and the \ankee caught the apples.” 

209. Tl,e fever for internal improvements 
overtook the country in 1817. The country was growino- 
fast, and there was a general desire to hasten its develop'’- 
ment. This feeling pervaded every branch of the o-overn- 


3I0NR0E 'S ADMINISTllAl'ION. 


183 


inent. People desired to have canals cut every where, 
and to have the States traversed by great roads. All this 
was to be done at government expense. President Monroe 
I admitted the desirability of these im|)rovements, but 
i opposed the scheme as being unconstitutional. The States 
j finally undertook the work of improvement. Survevs were 
1 made and state roads were laid out in all directions. The 
people were determined to have better means of travel and 
transportation. 

210. One of the most important of these public works 

was the Evie Canal^ the waters of the Great 

Lakes and those of the Hudson River. It was first pro¬ 
posed by Jesse Hawley, and was carried into execution by 
the State of New York, under the influence of its great and 
progressive governor, De Witt Clinton. For half a century 
it has been a channel for the commerce between the East 
and the West. 

211. The National Eoad^ leading from Cumber¬ 
land, Maryland, to St. Louis, Missouri, was planned at this 
time. When (3hio came into the Union one of the condi¬ 
tions was that the government should build a road across 
the mountains, to connect the State with the Atlantic bor¬ 
der. Part of it was macadamized, part was graveled, part 
was planked, and part was only graded. Before it was 
finished, other and better means of inland transportation 
were in use, and the government refused further appropria¬ 
tions. It became the property of the States in which it 
lay, and afterward of private companies. It was projected 
to St. Louis, laid out to Vandalia, Illinois, graded to Plain- 
field, Indiana, and completed to Indianapolis. It is still 
maintained in admirable order. 

212. Ocean steam 'navigation was first attempted 
in 1819. A company of merchants of Savannah built an 
ocean steamer in the city of New York. When completed, 
passengers were advertised for, but none applied. The 
vessel made a trip to Liverpool in thirty-one days, using 
pitch-pine as fuel. Twenty years more elapsed before the 





184 


THE MODEL TIT STORY. 


first regular line of steamers —the Cuiiard — crossed the 
Atlantic. At present over two hundred steamers regu¬ 
larly sail from American to EurojDean ports. 

213. The Fourth Ce7istis^t‘aken in 1820, showed 
a population of nine and a half millions (9,638,453). • 

214. In 1800 Georgia ceded to the United States its 

claim to the country 
west of it, including 
the present States of 

Mississippi mid 
.AZciitmiiu , It was 
organized into the Ter¬ 
ritory of Mississippi. 
It remained under this 
form of government till 1817, when it was divided, and the 
western part entered tlie Union as the State of Missis¬ 
sippi. Two years later 
the Alabama Territory 
sought and obtained 
admission as a State. 

215. The first white 
men to see Illinois 
were French explorers, 
and the first settlement 
‘'•aders and missionaries at Kaskaskia, 
in 1682. The deposits of lead at Galena were known and 
worked while it was a French province. In 1818 it was 

admitted as a State. 
Its rich agricultural 
lands quickly attract¬ 
ed a large population. 

It took a prominent 
part in the construc¬ 
tion of railroads, and 
^las more miles in 
operation than any other State in the Union. The rapid 
growth of Chicago is one of the miracles of the age. 







MONMOE^S ^iEMINISTRATION. 


185 


216. JM^aine remained a part of Massachusetts until 

1820, when it was 
admitted as a State. 
Settlement was slow 
and confined to the 
southern part and 
the coast. 

217. Theqites- 
tion of slavery 
had long claimed 
the attention of Congress and the country, and had now 
become the chief topic of debate. The northern and the 
southern sections of the country alternately acquired a State, 
and thus the balance of political power was preserved. 
When the Constitution was formed it was supposed that 
slavery would soon die out, and that the main source of 
dispute would be jealousy between the large States and 
the small ones. This was a great mistake. The hostility 
that arose was a sectional one, between the free and the 
slave States. 

218. When a bill for the admission of 31issoilvi 
came before Congress a long and memorable debate arose. 
The members from the South denied that Congress had a 
1 right to control the institutions of individual States, and 
uro-ed that each State should decide for itself whether 

o 

slavery should or should not exist within its borders. The 
members from the North opposed on moral, economic, and 
political grounds, the admission of another slave State into 
the Union. 

All the States previously admitted, excej^t Louisiana, had 
been composed of territory which the original thirteen had 
ceded to the general government; and it was agreed by all 
sections that new States seeking admission should have 
institutions similar to those States to which they had origi¬ 
nally belonged. The territory of Missouri was a part of 
the Louisiana Purchase; and hence the question of the 
extension of slavery did not come prominently before 






186 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 



Congress or tlie people till the year 1821. The country 
was now intensely agitated. The aged Jefferson said: 

“ From the battle of Bunker Hill 
to the treaty of Paris, we never 
had so ominous a question.” 

^ 19 . The Missouri Com- 
promise brought, for the time, 

an end to this angry dispute. 
The bill, introduced by Jesse B. 
Thomas,of Illinois, and supported 
by Henry Clay, provided that 
Missouri be admitted as a slave 
State. Slavery w'as to be pro¬ 
hibited in all territory west of 
HENRY CLAY. tlic Mississippi Piver and north 

of 36° 30'north latitude; the territory south of that line 
being open to freedom or slavery, as the people residing in 



SEAL OP MISSOURI. 


It should decide. It 
was a political scheme 
to preserve the bal¬ 
ance of power. The 
bill became a law; and 
the Compromise was 
observed by both sec- 
tions for thirty years. 
It IS one of the great landmarks of American liistory. 

230. The re-etecHon of Monroe a.nd Tmnpkins 

was quietly effects at a time when new issues had not 
come forward to take the place of those which had been 
settled by the lapse of time and the course of events. 

arty strife seemed to subside. In reality Monroe had no 
opponents; ami he received every electoral vote but one 
and that was cast by Plumer, of x\ew Hampshire, for .John 
y. Adams, on the ground that it was dangerous to o-ive a 
unanimous vote. A large meeting was held in Philadelphia 
to take measures for putting in the field an Anti - Slavery 
ticket; but this was not done. 


MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION. 


187 


221. In his annual message to Congress the President 
proclaimed the so-called 3Ionroe T>oetrlne, The 
republics in South America had long been struggling with 
Spain for their independence; and the peo])le of the United 
States desired to recognize them as sovereign nations. 
The President declared that “ the American continents are 
not to be considered as subject for future colonization by 
any European powers.” He said that “any attempt by 
European powers to control their destiny would be the 
manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the 

‘ United States.” He declared the true American policy to 
be, “ neither to entangle ourselves in the broils of Europe, 
nor permit the powers of the Old World to interfere with 
the affairs of the New.” 

This novel idea was equivalent to saying that the United 
States forbid the nations of Europe to acquire territory 
^this side of the Atlantic. Though seemingly a very 
haughty pretension, it has ever since, in a modified form, 
been the settled policy of the government. 

222 . The education of the Deaf and Dumb 
j received the attention of Congress during this administra- 
' tion. Mr. Cogswell, of Hartford, having a daughter who 
[ was deaf and dumb, proposed to found a school for the 

education of those similarly unfortunate. Rev. T. H. Gal- 
laudet was sent to Europe to learn the manner of teaching 
in such institutions there. On his return the school was 
opened at Hartford in 1817, with seven pupils. Within a 
year there were thirty-three, and Congress donated a town¬ 
ship of land, expecting that one school would be sufficient 
for the entire country. This was soon found to be a mis¬ 
take, and before many years had passed away every State 
in the Union had made provision for the care and education 
of its deaf and dumb. The instruction appeals chiefly to 
the eye, and extends through a period of seven years. 

223. The American Sundatf School TJnion 
was formed in 1824. An Englishman named Robert Raikes 
was the originator of Sunday Schools. During the Revo- 





188 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


lutionary war he collected poor children on Sunday after¬ 
noons, and gave them religious instruction. Such schools 
became very numerous in this country. The first Sunday 
school of the United fetates was held in Hanover County, 
Virginia, by Bishop Asbury, in 1786, at the house of Thomas 
Crenshaw. 


Progress in Sunday schools was very slow till about the 
year 1830. Finally it was seen that they would be useful 
to the children of the middle and upper classes as well as 
to the poor, and they were started in nearly every city. At 
first the exercises consisted in repeating Scriptural texts 
and singing hymns. The object of the union was to publish 
question-books, to organize schools in destitute places, and 
to advance the knowledge of the Scriptures among the 
people. From these beginnings have arisen all the Sunday- 
schools of the land. At the present time, there are about 
seventy thousand schools, and 5,790,000 pupils attending 
them, in our country. Since 1872, a uniform series of Bible 
lessons has gone into use throughout the world. 

224. At Bie invitation of Congress, General Lafay¬ 
ette re-visited this country, near the close of Adains’s 
administration. He was now an old man, near the end of a 
career full of important and stirring events. Nearly half 
a century had elapsed since he aided in the Revolutionary 
struggle; but the people well remembered the services of 
the generous Frenchman. From the moment of his arrival 
he became the nation’s guest, and wherever he went he was 
received with the utmost respect and affection. Every¬ 
where the cry was, “Welcome ! welcome ! thrice welcomk 
Lafayette ! ” ’ 


He received a public reception at New York, and then 
passed through the various states, being present at the 
founding of the Bunker Hill monument, participatinc i„ 
the ceremonies on the Fourth of July at the fiftieth anni¬ 
versary of independence, and visiting the tomb of Wash¬ 
ington. The Government voted him 1200,000, and a 
township of land, which he located in Florida. He spent 


MONBOE'S ADMINISTRATION. 


189 


over a year in the country, “encompassed,” as he said, “in 
an unexpected whirlwind of popular kindnesses,” and he 
was sent back to his country in a frigate — the Brandywine 

— built expressly for this service. 

225. The oldetl fast passing away. 

Monroe was the last of the Revolutionary statesmen, and 
great changes were constantly occurring. The time is 
within the memory ol men still living, when the Mississippi 
valley had no markets and no good roads. Live stock was 
driven over the mountains to market at Baltimore, and 
grain was laboriously conveyed in huge wagons, with two, 
four, or six-horse bell-teams, over almost impassable roads, 

A and in the middle of winter. 

A whole neighborhood near the river would join together, 
build a raft, and float their entire 23roduce — corn, wheat, 
pork, feathers, ginseng, Indian turnips, and whisky — to the 
New Orleans market, and afterward spend a month in 
walking home again. “ Many of the words most familiar to 
our grandfathers, such as chimney-lug, hominy-block, hunt¬ 
ing-shirt, spinning-wheel, bee-coursing, log-rolling, and 
latch-string, have become obsolete, or else are used only in 
a figurative sense.” 

226. The growth of the West surpassed any thing 
known before. Along the National Road an endless stream 
of pioneers poured over the mountains into the Ohio and 
Mississippi valleys. The cry was “Westward, ho!” In 
1800, St. Louis was a collection of log cabins, containing 
Creoles, Indians, half-breeds, boatmen, and Yankee traders; 
Cincinnati was a little settlement, protected by stockades; 
and Chicago was a few shanties on a wet prairie. Now all 
this was changing, and on rafts and flat-boats great numbers 
floated down the Ohio River, with their household goods 
and live stock, to settle the wild but fertile frontier, and to 
convert it into the busy homes of men. 

227. Near the close of this presidency, three questions — 
the national bank, the tariff*, and the extension of slavery 

— began to assert themselves as the issues then coming 



190 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


to the front. But the new party lines were not yet clearly 
drawn, and the election was more a choice of men than of 
political measures. 

228. Up to this time, the JPresUlential candi- 
aates had been determined in caucuses held at Washino-- 
ton by members of Congress. After this they were selected 
by a national convention of delegates, chosen by the people. 
On this occasion, four well-matched rivals entered the field, 
— Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, John Q. Adams, and 
W illiam H. Crawford. These men all occupied prominent 
positions under the Government, and they all claimed to be 
epublicans. As had been clearly foreseen, no one of them 
received a majority of all the electoral votes cast. The 
House of Representatives, therefore, for the second and last 
Rme ill our history, was called upon to elect a President. 
The friends of Clay and Adams united and elected the latter 
though Jackson had received the highest number of both 
popular and electoral ballots. The electoral vote had already 
chosen John C. Calhoun, as Vice-President. 


229. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

administration^ of JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

1S2S~1S29. 

The netv President was a son of John Adams. 

He was a scholar, an orator, a diplomatist 
and a model statesman. He had served 
as a Senator, and as minister to Berlin 
and St. Petersburg. He had helped to 
conclude the treaty of Ghent, and had 
served as Secretary of State under Mon¬ 
roe. Though receiving the best early 
and having great ability and 
a stainless reputation, he was never a 

ZTseT. « both 




ADAMSES ADMINISTRATION. 


191 


He wished to be considered the republican successor of 
Monroe, and tried to strengthen himself by assuming the 
championship of internal improvements and protection to 
domestic industry. He spent the last seventeen years of 
I his life in Congress, where he became the leader of that 
small but determined band who regarded slavery as both a 
moral and a political evil. He was familiarly known as 

i “the old man eloquent.” 

230. Several Indiahl tveaties were made during this 
i, and the two following administrations, by which the tribes 
exchanged their lands east of the Mississippi for territory 
west of that stream. These treaties were usually made 
with a few chiefs, who did not represent the wishes or the 
interests of their tribes. 

Though the Indians received annuities for a certain 
number of years, they were in reality forced to abandon 
the soil upon which the advancing settlements of white men 
were encroaching. Some of these tribes were civilized and 
had printed laws, farms, and schools. When about to be 
sent into exile by military force, they exhibited the deepest 
dejection of mind and a most pathetic consciousness of 
their wrongs. This method of extinguishing Indian titles 
was assailed as unjust and inhuman. 

231. Since 1816, the attention of Congress was directed, 
from time to time, to the protective tariff. As yet 
the system had been carried no further than to a small pro¬ 
tective tax on coarse cotton cloths. Since the close of the 
last war, manufactures had increased greatly, especially in 
New England and the Middle states; but, owing to the 
cheaper labor in Europe, goods from that continent could 
be sold in our markets at a lower price than American pro¬ 
ductions. To enable the latter to compete with the English 
goods, it was thought necessary to raise the price of the 
foreign articles by placing a high import tax upon them. 

232. The argument was made that this would bring 
new and extensive manufacturing establishments into exist¬ 
ence, build up home industries, give employment to more 




192 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


laborers, create a home market for agricultural products, 
prevent our money from flowing to foreign countries, srreatly 
increase the public revenue, and bring general and immedi¬ 
ate prosperity. 

On the other hand, it was argued that this tax would, in 
reality, be paid by our own people, and not by the foreign 
nation; that, by raising prices, the manufacturers alone 
would be benefited, and the consumers — who are the mass 
of the people —would be injured; that it would diminish the 
exportation of our goods; that the country was not prepared 
for the forced establishment of manufactures, on account of 
the high price of labor; that it would really lessen, instead 
of increase, the revenue; and that it was legislation in favor 
of one section and opposed to all others. 

In those days, such phrases as, “clogging the w^heels of 
trade,” “ diversifying our occupations,” “ protection to indus¬ 
try,” and “the pauper labor of Europe,” were very common. 

233. TliC VCSlllt of all this discussion in Congress and 
among the people was, that in 1828 the President and his 
party secured the passage of a bill —called by its enemies 
the Bill of Abominations —providing for a high protective 
tariff on cotton, woolen, and silken fabrics, and on goods 
made of iron, lead, and hemp. The duty on these was 
placed at an average of thirty-eight per cent, of their value. 
The law was commended in the manufacturing North, and 
condemned in the agricultural South. 

234. In the early part of this administration, ciTl UHti- 
Masonic excitement broke out in the country. Free- 
Masonry, an old and secret fraternity in Europe, originated 
by architects and builders, found its way to America in 
1730. Lodges had been formed in many parts of the 
country. A man named William Morgan, residing in 
western New York, having threatened to expose the secrets 
of the order, suddenly disappeared, and was not heard of 
again. It was suspected that the Masons had abducted and 
murdered him; and the report of an investigating commit¬ 
tee, appointed by the New York Legislature, confirmed 


193 


ADAMS'S ADMINISTMATION. 

the suspicion. Though the charge was never proved a 
great outcry was made against the fraternity, and a party 
was formed with the object of suppressing Masonry as 
dangerous to freedom and society. The excitement thus 
became a political issue, and many prominent men were 
involved in the controversy. The anti-Masonic party 
acquired great power in several states, bringing forward 
candidates and carrying the elections. It was many years 
before the excitement passed away. 

235. For the first forty years after the adoption of the 
Constitution, the vast power of dismissal from office which 
was conferred on the President, was sparingly used. It 
was exercised only to prevent the public from suffering 
through faithless or incompetent officials, and not to gratify 
party or personal ambitions. In conducting the civil 
service, Washington dismissed nine officers, and Adams, 
ten. Jefferson adopted as his test, respecting applicants 
for office, these queries: “Is he honest? Is he capable?’* 
He found the offices filled by Federalists, yet he removed 
but twenty-six during his term, twelve of whom were 
judges appointed by Adams on the very eve of his retire¬ 
ment, and called in derision, “the midnight judiciary.” 

Madison removed eight, and Monroe, nine. J. Q. Adams 
dismissed but two, and declared his resolution to remove no 
man on account of his opinions, saying, “If I can not 
administer the government on these principles, I am con¬ 
tent to go back to Quincy.” In those days, office-seekers 
did not speak of their “claims,” and the civil service was 
removed from the accidents of politics by making the 
tenure of office depend upon a faithful and competent per¬ 
formance of duty, and not upon the triumph of parties. 

236. Invention became a necessity to the people, 
from a lack of hands to do the labor. They could not wait 
till population sufficiently increased. The growth of wealth 
was found to depend far more upon labor-saving machinery 
than upon increase of population. An invention that greatly 
stimulated agriculture was the cast - iron plow, by Jethro 



194 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Wood, in 1814. Previously the plow was a mere stick of 
wood, plated with iron. 

237. The itu^yrovements in land travel did not 
keep pace with the means of water communication. Steam¬ 
boats had increased rapidly in numbers on rivers and lakes 
from the time of Fulton’s success; but there had been no 
application of the steam eng’ine to land travel. Inventors 
seemed slow in putting the idea into practice. 

238. The first railroads were at mines. It was 
so much labor to draw carts of coal from the mines to the 
market that some one suggested planked roads with wooden 
rails. These were called tramways. The first road of that 
kind in this country was built in 1826 by Gridley Bryant. 
It was only four miles long, reaching from the stone quarries 
at Quincy, Massachusetts, to the tide-water. The cars were 
drawn by horses, and the wooden rails were strapped with 
flat iron. 


239. For many years, ingenious men had been making 
edcperinients on the locomotive. They tried to 
make one with wheels ; they tried to make one with legs 
like a horse. Oliver Evans, of Philadelphia, invented a 
steam road engine ; but he was ridiculed, and his project 
was deemed a very wild one. Richard Trevithick, in 
England, made the first successful locomotive; but the man 
who first made land traveling by steam possible was the 
English collier, George Stephenson. 

240. Soon afterward, we introduced locomotives in 
America, The train was expected to make a speed of 



fourteen miles an hour, and was regarded as a great curi¬ 
osity. Many people said the engine would never be able 
to draw the weight of the train, but its wheels would spin 













ADAMS'S administration. 


195 


round and round on the rails; others said that, even if 
successful, it would injure the country by rendering* wagons 
and coaches useless; others, that it would destroy the value 
of farming land near the road, by frightening the draft 
animals so that the soil could not be cultivated ! None of 
these calamities followed. 

The first true railroad in this country was the Baltimore 
and Ohio, begun in 1828. The railroad fever immediately 
took possession of the popular fancy; and there has been 
little abatement of this feeling to the present time, when 
there are 80,000 miles of road in this country, and 182,000 
miles in the world. 

241. On July 4, 1826, (x Stvihi'iig eveflt occurred. 
On this fiftieth anniversary of independence, John Adams 
and Thomas Jefferson both died. The many coincidences 
of their lives were completed in this remarkable coincidence 
of their deaths. It struck the people with awe and aston¬ 
ishment. They had now grown old, and their political 
differences had been many years forgotten. They spent 
much time in writing each other friendly letters. The day 
was being celebrated in the village where Adams lived, and 
he sent the toast, “ Independence forever.” As he lay dying 
at sunset, the watchers could hear the shout of the people 
as they received the old man’s message. Thus there 
was sorrow, as well as joy, on this semi-centennial day. 
Ex-President Monroe died on the same day a few years 
later, and again sadness was mingled with the celebra¬ 
tion. 

242. The American Tract Society was formed 
in 1825 by a company of gentlemen in New York. Its 
object was to print and distribute cheap books and tracts 
of a moral and religious character. Since that time its 
average annual publications have been half a million vol¬ 
umes and ten million tracts. In 1874, seventy million 
pages of matter were gratuitously distributed. Its publi¬ 
cations are printed in one hundred and forty-three different 
languages, and are sent to nearly all parts of the earth. 


196 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


243. In 1828, the American Peace Society was 
formed at New York by a number of humane reformers, 
headed by William Ladd, of Maine, who has been called 
the Apostle of Peace. Fourteen years before this. Rev. 
Noah Worcester, of Massachusetts, appeared as one of the 
first advocates of the cause of peace, on moral grounds, in 
this or any other country. His volume. Serious Review of 
the Custom of War, produced a deep impression on many 
thoughtful minds, and many peace societies sprang up in 
New England. Mr. Ladd wrote and lectured in advocacy 
of the reform, and edited the Harbinger of Peace. He 
secured promises from clergymen to preach a sermon at 
least once a year in the interests of the cause. 

The society proposed that a congress of nations should 
be convened to arrange a code of international law, by 
which every difficulty and question of right between nations 
could be settled without resort to war. This code was to 
be administered by a high court of nations, composed of a 
few men from all civilized countries. A scheme similar to 
this was originally proposed by William Penn, as early as 
1693; but it was lost sight of till revived by Mr. Ladd. 
The plan was pronounced practicable by leading reformers 
in Europe and America. In its support the world’s peace 
convention assembled at London in 1843, and again in Paris 
in 1849. 

244. It is interesting to note the changes in domes¬ 
tic life* Some time before this, the people learned how 
to use coal as fuel, and gas was introduced into Boston. 
Percussion locks took the place of the old flint-locks in 
muskets. India-rubber began to be used for overshoes and 
other useful articles. A new vegetable, the tomato, formerly 
cultivated as a curiosity, and called the love-apple, was spar- 
ingly eaten. People began to throw away the old tinder- 
box with flint and steel, and to use friction matches — then 
called lucifers or loco-focos — when they desired to make a 
fire or light a candle. Steel pens came into use about this 
time, and were worth twenty-five cents each. Gold pens. 




ADAMSES ADMINISTRATION. 197 

letter envelopes, and postage stamps were not in use till 
about 1844. 

245. These four quiet years gave opportunity for atten¬ 
tion to the great interests of agriculture, commerce, and 
manufacturing; yet the bitterest feeling toward the faction 
in power continued throughout A.(la)ns^S ad'iniflis- 
tPCltiO'i'l, The friends of Jackson and Crawford were very 
indignant at what they called “the base coalition” between 
Adams and Clay, and they organized a determined oppo¬ 
sition both to his administration and re-election, even before 

I, he was inaugurated. The cry of extravagance was made, 

! though the public expenses scarcely amounted to 113,000,000 
a year. Not so much from disapprov^al of his policy as from 
hatred of the man, every measure of his administration was 
doomed even before it was developed. Though he was so 
revengefully assailed, we have, perhaps, never had a purer or 
more economical administration than that of J. Q. Adams. 
He left to the nation a greatly diminished debt and a legacy 
of unexampled prosperity. 

246. Early in this administration the question arose, 
Wh o shall he the next President ? Up to this 

I time the Chief Executive had been a resident of Massa- 
i chusetts or Virginia. Originally settled by different people, 

I the Puritans and the Cavaliers,—these sections were still 
[ far from being alike. The former was manufacturing and 
commercial, fostering schools, loving political equality, 
abolishing slave labor, advocating a strong federal govern¬ 
ment. The latter was agricultural, the population being 
scattered, education not being generally diffused, politics 
tending to “state rights,” slave labor forming a landed 
aristocracy. The West had now grown into importance, 
and it began to be seen that the next President would 
come from the new country beyond the mountains. 

247. As usual, was a heated one. So 

violent was party strife during the contest that the country 
seemed on the verge of civil war. Adams, supported by 
Clay and his faction, became the candidate of the East, as 




198 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


had been well understood for the last four years. “The 
hero of New Orleans” again became the candidate of the 
South and the West. Adams received eighty-three elec¬ 
toral votes; and Jacksoy and Calhoun achieved an easy 
victory with one hundred and seventy-eight. The excite¬ 
ment immediately abated, and public attention turned to 
other subjects. 

CHAPTER IX. 

JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1829 — 1887. 

248. TIhC IXOW I^PCSifZcflt was a man of strong will 
and great energy. His mind was power¬ 
ful but unpolished, and his integrity 
undoubted. He did what he thought 

O 

was right, without asking who would be 
displeased. He was familiarly called 
Old Hickory. Perhaps we have never 
had a President who was so heartily 
hated and so heartily loved. He had a 
stormy and adventurous career — the 
exact opposite of Adams’s. His love of country was a 
master passion. He was a military hero; and his availa¬ 
bility as a presidential candidate was due chiefly to his 
military successes. 

^ 249. Among his first official acts was the re-organ- 
ization of the civil service. Adopting the cry, “to 
the victors belong the spoils,” and believing that public 
affairs would be best managed by those of the same political 
views, he removed from office many of those opposed to 
him, and appointed his supporters to the places thus vacated. 
He went into office pledged to reward his friends and punish 
his enemies. Thousands of applicants for office thronged 
the capital and clamored all over the country. Heretofore 
it had been the custom in cases of removal, to furnish the 
officer with a copy of the charges against him, and to listen 




JAGKSON'S AD.WTNISTRATION. 


199 


to his defense; now persons were dismissed not only with¬ 
out trial, but without charges. 

When Jackson came into the Presidency, he did not find 
a single man belonging to his party in office. During his 
eight years he removed six hundred and ninety officials — 
more than ten times as many as during the entire previous 
history of the government; and yet, among the thousands 
of removable officers, he never had a majority on his side. 
His course created a storm of abuse, but it was steadily 
persevered in, and his example has been followed to some 
extent by all our later Presidents. Van Buren, during the 
trying times of his presidency, held the party together by 
official patronage; and Tyler, with an eye to re-election, 
undertook to steer a middle course between W^higs and 
Democrats, distributing appointments right and left to 
strengthen his chances. 

250. The NfltlO^ldZ Sfdih has been already men¬ 
tioned. As its charter was about to expire, the question 
of its renewal came before Congress. The President took 
strong grounds against this proposal, believing that such a 
gigantic moneyed corporation was not safe in a republic. It 
was asserted that Nicholas Biddle, its president, had boasted 
that he could make war or peace, and that no man could be 
elected President or Governor without his consent. On the 
other hand, the benefits of the reliable and uniform currency 
which it provided, were undeniable. The bill to re-charter 
the Bank passed Congress. Jackson vetoed it; and, as 
Congress did not pass it over his veto, the charter was not 
re-issued. The excitement was great; and the press, large 
numbers of his friends, and nearly all his cabinet officers, 
deserted him. But the people sustained him. 

251. The operfltion of the tariff was not so satis¬ 
factory as had been expected. It was found that the 
manufacturers were enriched, since the price of their goods 
was increased. The government was enriched, since the 
tax on imported articles went into its treasury. The 
factory-laborers were enriched, since their employers were 



200 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


able to pay them better wages. But the mass of the people 
were obliged to pay more for their goods than before. 

253. From this cause discon tent in the South had 
been arising for several years. It is a strange fact that the 
first protective tariff law in 1816 had been proposed and 
supported by the very man and 
the very state that now led the 
opposition to protection—John 
C. Calhoun, of South Carolina. 

Now the South said to Con¬ 
gress: “ We have tried protection 
for fourteen years, and find it 
does us no good in Virginia and 
Carolina. We do not sell our 
cotton at any better price on 
account of it; and when we wish 
to buy cloth or shoes, we pay 
high for the American article. 
Beside, the foreign goods which 
we could buy cheap but for this odious tax, are better than the 
American goods, which are dear. If Massachusetts, which 
makes cloth and shoes, and Pennsylvania, which produces 
iron, want a protective tariff, let them have it; but give us 
free-trade, or a tariff for revenue only.” 

253. During the agitation of this subject, a noted 
debate arose in the Senate. In a discussion about the 
disposal of the public lands, Robert Y. Havne, a brilliant 
orator from South Carolina, affirmed in an elaborate speech 
that any state had the right to declare null and void any 
act of Congress which it should consider unconstitutional 
He plainly asserted that the Union was a compact of states 
from which any of them could withdraw at pleasure. ThiJ 
idea had never before been publicly expressed. 

Daniel Webster replied in a very eloquent speech, deny¬ 
ing the right of secession, arguing that the Constitution 
was the work of the people as a nation, and not as separate 
states, and asserting that secession was treason, and that 





JACKSOy^S ADMiyiSTMATIOy. 


201 


differences between the governinent and states were to be 
settled ])y the Supreme Court. 
Thirty years afterward, this ques¬ 
tion came up again, to be decided 
by one of the bloodiest wars in all 
history. 

254. At a free-trade eon- 
vetltioil in South Carolina it was 
declared that the tariff was injuring 
the agricultural interests of the 
South, that Congress had usurped 
a power not granted in the Con- 
DANiEL WEBSTER. stitutioii, ill legislating in the 
interests of a particular class; that the tax was “null and 
void;” that no more duties should be paid on imported 
g(X)ds; and that, if the government should attempt collec¬ 
tion, the state would secede from the Union. Calhoun, 
having resigned the Vice - Presidency, was placed at the 
head of the movement, and medals were struck, bearing 
the inscription, “John C. Calhoun, First President of the 
Southern Confederacy.” 

255. All this was called milUfieafioil, The Con¬ 
gressmen from South Carolina boldly threatened secession, 
and the Legislature called for twelve thousand volunteers 
to fight the United States. When President Jackson read 
this news, he leaped from his seat, exclaiming; “ TJnio}i I 
It must and shall he preserved! Send for General Scott I'"' 
He issued a proclamation, announcing his determination to 
enforce the laws, and declaring these acts to be treasonable, 
and that “to say that any state may at pleasure secede from 
the Union, is to say that the United States are not a nation.” 

Bloodshed was happily avoided. Congress soon passed 
the compromise bill of Henry Clay, providing for the gradual 
reduction of the odious duties, and limiting the existence 
of the protective tariff to ten years. This was the last 
that was heard of nullification and secession during that 



generation. 






202 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


256. YhQ Te-elect ion of JTcveJcson not accom¬ 
plished without the greatest opposition. His rivals were 
Henry Clay, a man of the greatest ability, and William 
Wirt, the anti-Masonic candidate. Jackson’s veto of the 
Bank and Public Improvement bills created a strong party 
against him, but he was re-elected over Clay by an electoral 
vote of nearly five to one. Martin Van Buren, of New 
York, became Vice-President. Jackson was lauded by his 
friends as a second Washington. His re-electioi/was 
bewailed by his enemies as a public calamity, greater than 
war, famine, and pestilence combined. 

257. After his re-election the President ordered the 
removal of the Government deposits from the 
National to the state banks. He had no law for such a 
course, but believing himself to be in the right, he did not 
hesitate. If Jackson had declared himself a military dic¬ 
tator for life, there could scarcely have been a greater 
uproar. He believed that the money was being used for 
two irregular purposes—to effect his own overthrow, and 
to create an injurious spirit of speculation. 

When the ten millions of public funds were deposited in 
the state banks called “pet banks”—matters were not 
much improved. The removal caused the failure of the 
National Bank, and brought on much financial distress. It 
became easy, from the abundance of money, for any one to 
borrow. Wild speculation followed, especially in western 
land. New cities were laid out in forests and on prairies, 
and fabulous prices were paid for building-lots which existed 
only on paper. Every one had some scheme for making a 
fortune. The evil results of this were severely felt durbig 
the next administration. 

As yet the country was so prosperous that the national 
debt was extinguished, and a surplus revenue had accumu¬ 
lated. It is a singular fact in our history that 128,000,000 
of this surplus was surrendered to the people, and distrib¬ 
uted among the several states. 

258. The Seminole Indians in Georgia and 




JACKSON\S ADMINISTRATION. 


203 


Florida were a<rain tlie source of trouble. They refused to 
leave their homes at the command of the government, and 
force was employed against them. Osceola, their chief, was 
a leading character in the war which followed. It resulted 
in the defeat and removal of the Indians, and was an 
expensive contest. Expedition after expedition of veteran 
soldiers was sent to Florida, and the war was continued in 
the everglades for seven years, d'he cost in money was 
lorty million dollars —eight times as much as had been 
paid to Spain for the whole of Florida. 

259. Numerous (Ultl-slavery societies were formed 
during Jackson’s term of office. The object was to persuade 
the country that freedom was better than slavery. As early 
as 1816, a Quaker minister, named Charles Osborne, pub¬ 
lished, at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, a little paper, called the 
, Philanthropist, devoted to the cause of emancipation. A 
, few years later, another Quaker gentleman, named .Benjamin 
Lundy, published, at Baltimore, a newspaper, called The 
j (r^niiis of Universal Emancipation, advocating the idea of 
i gradually freeing the slaves. 

* No one gave much attention to this; but when a young 
man named William Lloyd Garrison started in Boston a 
weekly paper called The Liberator, advocating immediate 
and unconditional emancipation, there quickly arose a great 
excitement all over the country. The Governor of Massa¬ 
chusetts, in his message, gave his opinion that the abolition¬ 
ists might be prosecuted in the courts. Garrison was 
repeatedly pelted with eggs by excited mobs, and the 
Legislature of Georgia offered five thousand dollars for his 
head. When warned to stop his paper, he came out with 
this flaming motto: “7" icill not equivocate; I will not 
excuse^ I 'will not retract a single inch ^ and I will 
he heard.'''* 

260. An insurrection of the slaves soon arose 
in Virginia, headed by a slave named Nat Turner, who, with 
a mob, went from house to house, putting whole families to 
death. He was finally arrested, tried, and executed. It 




204 


THE MODEL III STOUT. 




was charged that this was the result of Garrison’s teachings. 
The excitement became fiercer than ever. In order to quiet 
the public mind, Jackson urged Congress to pass a law to 
exclude abolition publications from the mails. But, as this 
would have been equivalent to restricting the freedom of 
the press, it was not done. 

261. The fifth ce}isiis^ taken in 1830, showed a 
population of nearly thirteen millions (12,856,165) — three 

times the enumera¬ 
tion under the presi¬ 
dency of Washington. 
262. Arkansas 

was, for a long time, a 
jDart of the Missouri 
SEAL OP ARKANSAS. Territory; but in 1819 

it was set off as a distinct territory, and so remained till 
1836, when it entered the Union as a state. 

263. ISIieh Ujan was organized as a territory in 1805, 

and it remained so 
for thirty-two years. 
It was invaded by the 
British in 1812. A 
dispute with Ohio 
about its boundaries 
SEAL OP MICHIGAN. was Settled in 1837, 

when it was admitted as a state. 


264. In 1832, the country was visited by a fatal pesti¬ 
lence, the Asiatic chotera. The disease originated 
several years before in the marshes at the mouth of the 
Ganges. From India it spread westward to England and 
America. Appearing first in Canada, it traversed the Union 
in a southwesterly direction, defying medical skill, and 
swiftly carrying thousands to the grave. Wherever the 
plague went, the people were panic-stricken; and the cities 
and towns were abandoned by nearly all who could leave 
them. In its subsequent visits to our country the disease 








JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 205 

seemed to be more manageable, and to have lost much of 
its original terror. 

205. Near the close of this presidency, two destruc¬ 
tive p.res occurred, which were regarded as national 
calamities. 1. A fire broke out among the large mercantile 
houses of New York, and, before it could be stayed, thirty- 
five acres in the center of the city were laid in ashes, and 
property worth eighteen million dollars was consumed. A 
few failures occurred, but “the burned district” was soon 
covered with buildings, more magnificent than before. 
2. A fire destroyed the United States Patent Office, in 
Washington, with seven thousand models and ten thousand 
designs of inventions. 

266. To the other calamities must be added the death 
of our ijreat men, Ex-President Madison died at the 
age of eighty-five, and Charles Carroll, the last surviving 
signer of the Declaration, at the age of ninety-six. Chief- 
Justice Marshall closed his labors at the age of eighty. To 
these may be added the names of William Wirt and the 
eloquent John Randolph, of Roanoke. 

267. While engaged in public matters, the nation did 
not forget the care of its unfortunate citizens. The first 
asylum for the blind was founded in 1832, chiefly 
through the labors of John D. Fisher. The idea had been 
prevalent that the blind were incapable of education ; but, 
from the success of European institutions, the idea of doing 
something for these unfortunates occurred at the same time, 
but without concert, in many places in this country. 

A company of blind pupils from one of the early asylums, 
with their teachers, visited seventeen states, and exhibited 
before the Legislatures and the people. Great interest was 
awakened, and soon many institutions for the education of 
the blind were founded, some by private benevolence, but 
generally by the state. The instruction was mostly oral; 
and at first books were printed for the use of the blind in 
sunken characters. But the raised letters soon came into 
use ; and in 1836 a New Testament was printed in raised 





206 


TEE MODEL HISTORY. 


characters. At present the blind in our country are able 
to read about fifty different books. These include history, 
geography, geometry, and astronomy. Pilgrim’s Progress, 
Milton s Poetical AVorks, and Dickens’s Old Curiosity Shop 
are also thus printed. 

268. The night of November 13, 1832, is remarkable 
from the occurrence of a wonderful natural phenomenon — 
a great shower of shooting Stars.’’ These meteors 
varied in size from a mere point of light to globes equaling 
the moon in brightness. This display was witnessed with 
astonishment and even alarm throughout the United States. 

269. In 1833, a great advance was made in the construc¬ 
tion of the first effective reaping and mowing 
machines. For many years, attempts had been made 
to devise means to cut grain by machinery. At first the 
idea was to do it by revolving knives, in imitation of the 
hand-scythe. The experimenters were numerous, and 
the honor of final success belongs to no one man. 

In 1833, Obed Hussey, of Cincinnati, invented and pat¬ 
ented a reaper with saw - toothed cutter and guards. This 
machine cut one hundred and eighty acres of oats, and was 
favorably noticed by the press. During the next year, 
Cyrus McCormick made a reaping machine, using a sickle- 
edged, sectional bar, with guards, such as are still in 
universal use. 

At the same time that McCormick was making his reaper, 
Frederick Ketchum, of Buffalo, was constructing the first 
mowing machine. He also used sectional knives with 
guards. It did its work well, but was a very crude affair 
ni comparison with the mowers of the present day. These 
inventions laid the foundation of vast improvement in farm 
machinery. Our improved drills, planters, sowers, culti¬ 
vators, and threshing machines have all come into use since 
that day. 

arO. For some years a gradual re-OVijanlxaUon, of 
parties had been going on ; and now public opinion on 
the issues of the day had ranged the voters of the country 




VAN BUJKEN'S ADMINISTRATION. 


207 


in two great parties, the Whigs and the Democrats. The 
I Whigs, named in remembrance of the revolutionary fathers, 
I included nearly all the old Federalists, and were understood 
I to favor protective duties, the National Bank, and the policy 
of internal improvements. The Democrats included most 
of the old Republicans, and opposed all these measures, 
d he question ol the extension of slavery was one upon 
which the parties had not yet taken sides. 

271. In the presidential eleetion of 1836, the 
i \\ higs brought forward Gen. AVilliam Henry Harrison, of 

Ohio. The Democrats named Martin Van Buren, of New 
\ ork, the intimate friend of Jackson, and a strong supporter 
of his policy. He was elected by a handsome majority. 

CHAPTER X. 

rjliV BUREN'S ADMlNISTRATWJff^. 

1837 — 1841. 

272. The new President had been United States 
Senator, Governor of New York, Minister to England, Sec¬ 
retary of State, and Vice-President with 
Jackson. He held the usual Democratic 
views of the tariff and the National Bank. 
His presidency was therefore a continu¬ 
ation of .Jackson’s policy. He was a man 
of more than ordinary ability. His pri¬ 
vate character has never been impeached, 
and, though a shrewd, he was not a dis¬ 
honest, statesman. 

As President he was the subject of much censure, but he 
retained the confidence of his party to the last. He was 
brought forward as a candidate in three presidential cam¬ 
paigns after he became President. 

273. The panic of ^37 was brought on by specula¬ 
tion and over-trading during the previous administration. 
The banks had made large issues of paper money, based on 
the government deposits. Money was plenty, and the 







208 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


country was apparently rapidly increasing in wealth. Banks 
had so increased in number that there were then about eight 
hundred in the Union. Trading was done on credit, and 
men gave up steady business for speculation. Not many 
saw that the general rise in prices, and the apparent pros¬ 
perity, were fictitious and liable to result in disaster at any 
moment. 

At length it began to be seen that nearly every one was 
in debt. A feeling of uneasiness arose; then several 
extensive failures occurred in the principal cities. The 
alarm spread, and caused a general flood of notes to the 
banks for redemption in coin. Many of -these banks had ' 
three or four times as many bills in circulation as they had 
specie in their vaults, and they were quite incapable of 
continuing specie payments. 

The banks in New York and New Orleans refused to ^ 
redeem their notes, and their example was followed by all 
the banks in the country. Within two months, failures in 
those two cities occurred to the amount of a hundred and 
fifty million dollars. Mercantile houses failed; public works 
were stopped; manufacturers closed their shops; and thou¬ 
sands of poor people were thrown out of employment. A 
session of Congress was called; but legislation could do but 
little to correct the evils of public extravagance. It was 
only by industry and economy that the nation finally grew 
into prosperity. 

274. The foreign credit of the government was 
also seriously affected. Bonds for one hundred million 
dollars of state indebtedness had been issued, with the 
pretense of carrying on internal improvements. For many 
years the states were on the brink of bankruptcy ; but the 
bonds were finally all paid, except those of Mississippi and 
Florida, which refused payment of the interest, and repudi¬ 
ated the debt. As the bonds had been sold chiefly in 
Europe, a great outcry arose there; and when, in 1842^ the 
government tried to negotiate a foreign loan, not a bidder 
could be found in all Europe. 




VAN BUMEN'S ADMIN IS TMATION. 


209 


275. The Siih-Treasuvy scheme was the measure 
proposed by the President to avoid extravagant speculation 
and its attendant evils in the future. It was violently 
assailed, but became a law. It provided that all govern¬ 
ment dues should be paid in gold or silver, and that the 
public funds should be taken from the state banks and 
deposited with certain persons called sub - treasurers, 
appointed for the purpose, who should give security for the 
j proper discharge of their duties. Thus an independent 
> treasury was established. 

The law was passed in 1840, repealed in 1841, re-enacted 
in 1846, and still remains in force. Its wisdom and useful- 
i ness are now generally admitted. It compelled banks to 
j limit operations, by keeping specie in the vaults of the 
I government. The unpopularity of this measure ruined 
I Van* Buren’s hopes of re-election. 

: 276. At this time a Canadian rebellion broke 

; out. A portion of the people of Canada opposite New 
I York rose against the British Government, and attempted 
I to establish independence. Many people in the United 
States sympathized with the movement, and crossed the 
border to render assistance. For a short time there was 
danger of war with England; but the President issued a 
proclamation of neutrality, and sent a military force to the 
frontier to forbid interference and punish disturbers. The 
insurrection was soon suppressed. 

277. The slavery agitation increased in bitter¬ 
ness, and often, resulted in mobs and violence, even in the 
free states. A slave girl, who had been taken by her master 
to Boston, was declared free by the Supreme Court of the 
state. A meeting of the Boston Anti-Slavery Society was 
broken up by a mob, and the mayor of the city said he was 
unable to protect it. 

Mr. Garrison, who tried to address a meeting, was dragged 
through the streets with a rope around his body, till saved 
by the police, who put him in jail for protection. Schools 
for colored children were broken up, and the teachers driven 




210 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


away. At Alton, Illinois, Rev. Elisha Lovejoy, the editor 
of an anti - slavery newspaper, was killed by a mob. The 
anti-slavery, or abolition party, was graduallv growing; but 
Congress, by large majorities, declared itself unable to 
interfere with slavery, either in the states, the District of 
Columbia, or the territories. 

278. The sixth eensiis^ taken in 1840, showed that 
the population had increased to seventeen millions 
(17,068,665). 

279. The teinperanee reform had interested large 
numbers of the people for many j^ears. During the Revo¬ 
lution, and till the war of 1812, the use of intoxicating 
drinks among the people greatly increased. There was 
scarcely any odium attached to the practice, and but little 
was done to arrest its progress. An occasional sermon was 
preached, but the minister was generally thought to have 
meddled in a matter which did not concern him. 

In 1811, through the influence of Dr. Benjamin Rush, 
the New England clergymen resolved to abstain from wine 
at their entertainments, and to scatter among the people 
information respecting the effects of strong drink. Soon 
after, societies for the suppression of intemperance, called 
“moral societies,'’ became very popular. It became the 
custom to show the evils of intemperance by ridiculing 
the drunkards and mimicking their manners. Of course, the 
societies did but little good. The intemperate were offended 
by these assaults, but they were neither convinced nor 
reformed. 

In 1817, forty farmers pledged themselves to gather their 
harvest without whisky. This was then thought a very 
strange thing; and, in order to secure laborers on this con¬ 
dition, they were obliged to offer much higher wages than 
were usual. The American Temperance Society was formed 
m Boston in 1826, composed of those who were pledged to 
observe and promote total abstinence. This gave a new 
aspect to the reform. Popular lecturers were sent out, 
societies were multiplied, and great interest was exqited. 


VAN BUMEN'S ABMINTSTBATION. 


211 


In 1840, a little company of six drunkards, in Baltimore, 
having emptied their glasses one night, resolved to abandon 
their drinking habits. They formed a society called “The 
Washingtonians,” whose object was to feed, clothe, employ, 
and encourage reformed drunkards. Such societies were 
formed all over the country. They sent out lecturers, and 
the people never wearied of listening to the appeals of these 
reformers. The noted temperance lecturer, John B. Gough, 
first appeared at this time. License laws were first discussed 
in these meetings. Prohibition was scarcely thought of. 

280. JEdttCClfiOfl continued to receive the attention 
of Congress and the people. The grants of land made by 
Congress had resulted in the establishment of a system of 
public schools in most of the states. Colleges and academies 
became numerous, and sent out many well-trained minds. 

In 1826, the first educational paper was started at Boston. 

It was called The Journal of Edu¬ 
cation. Soon after, Josiah Holbrook 
prepared educational apparatus for 
schools, delivered educational lec¬ 
tures, and held the first teachers’ 
institutes and conventions ever 
assembled in the country. The first 
normal school was opened in 1839, 
at Lexington, Massachusetts, by 
Edmund Dwight. Horace Mann, 
the great educator, contributed more 
to the success and popularity of our 
public school system than any other 
man the country has produced. 

281. Near the close of this presidency, the attitude 
of pavties indicated a violent political contest. Though 
the President really had nothing to do with causing the 
financial distress which was prevailing, he was assumed to 
be responsible for it, and the public confidence in his 
administration and in the Democratic party was greatly 
weakened. Financial questions constituted the issues of the 





212 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


campaign, and the luckless administration of Van Buren 
called forth the bitterest denunciation of the opposition. 

282. The candidates were well known. To vindi¬ 
cate his policy, the Democrats re-nominated Van Buren. 
Again the Whigs named General William Henry Harrison. 
Since his contests with the Indians, thirty years before, he 
had dwelt in a common frame house on the western frontier, 
and lived like a pioneer and a plain farmer. The Abolition¬ 
ists now came forward asking the votes of the people for 
their candidate, James G. Birney, of New York. 

283. The campaign was the most exciting known 
in our history. Some of his opponents had sneeringly said: 
“Give Harrison a log-cabin and a barrel of hard cider, and 
he will never leave Ohio to be President.” From that time, 
the “log-cabin candidate” and the “hard-cider campaign’^ 
became popular expressions. Log-cabins were built and 
drawn on wagons in political processions, with the latch¬ 
string out, a coon-skin nailed over the door, and a barrel 
of hard cider with a gourd for a drinking-cup lying beside 
It. Many a loud hurrah went up at the witty hits of stump 
orators. Barrels of hard cider were rolled from one town 
to another, followed by hundreds of men and boys, who 
turned out to see the fun. “Tippecanoe and Tyler too,” 
became the rallying cry of the Whigs. Many stirring songs 
were composed and sung by the glee-clubs at the political 
meetings. 

284. The result of all this was the defeat of Van 
Buren with sixty votes, and the triumphant election of Har¬ 
rison with two hundred and thirty-four. With him was 
chosen John Tyler, of Virginia. The Abolitionists, who 
favored the entire extinction of slavery, were comparatively 
few. Birney received no electoral votes, and only 7,600 
popular ballots. Thus, after controlling the government 
for forty years, the Democratic party passed temporarily 
out of power, and the party which claimed to represent 
Washington and the elder Adams once more tpqk command. 


ADMINISTRATIONS OF HARRISON AND TTLER. 213 


CHAPTER XL 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF HARRISON AND TYLER. 

184:1 — 1845. 

285. The presidential labors of Harrison were 
short. He was an old man of sixty-eii^ht, 
and worn out with the excitements of the 
campaign. Even before his inauguration 
he was beset by office-seekers; and he 
desired to gratify the political friends 
who flocked about him. He gave himself 
incessantly to the public business, taking 
neither rest nor sufficient sleep. In less 
than a month he was sick with pneumonia. 

His illness lasted but eight days. 

His death caused profound and universal grief. “Out of 
consideration of his expenses in removing to the seat of 
government, and the limited means he left behind,” Congress 
appropriated to his widow the equivalent of one year’s 
presidential salary. It was the first time the country had 
lost a President. Two other instances of the kind have 
occurred since. Tyler took the oath of office, and became 
the first “accidental President.” 

286. The new Executive was a Virginian and a 
graduate of William and Mary College. 
He had served as a Representative, as a 
Senator, and as Governor of his native 
state. He retained the members of Harri¬ 
son’s cabinet. He was the most unpopular 
President the United States have ever had. 

287. His policif proved a great 
disappointment to the party which had 
placed him in power. The Whigs had 
expected to establish a National Bank to afford relief to the 
country. But the President promptly vetoed two bills 
passed for that purpose, the latter being drafted according 




214 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


to his own suggestions. His former political friends then 
denounced him as having deserted his party. But the fact 
was, that he had long been known to be hostile to the 
National Bank, and he had been put on the ticket for no 
other purpose than to secure the Southern vote. All his 
cabinet officers resigned, except Daniel Webster, Secretary 
of State, who retained his office till he had completed some 
important public plans, which would have suffered by his 
resignation. 

288. The panic had left great numbers of men financially 
embarrassed. To afford relief to these, a general hdilk- 
rilX)t la w was passed, early in this presidency, by which 
bankrupts could be freed from their debts on the surrender 
of their property to their creditors. This law was afterward 
repealed. 

289. For fifty years, two grave questions had 
remained open between England and the United States. 

1. The northeast boundary, between Maine and New Bruns¬ 
wick, had never been definitely located. The people in that 
region threatened to take up arms in support of their 
respective claims. 

2. It will be remembered that Great Britain had never 
surrendered the right of search. It was thought necessary 
in order to carry out her commercial policy, and it had long 
been a favorite idea with her statesmen. It had continued 
to be the source of long and irritating debates and diplo¬ 
matic correspondence, entering every international question, i 
and threatening to close the way of friendly negotiation. i 
But, in 1842, Daniel Webster and Lord Ashburton, on i 
behalf ol their respective countries, satisfactorily settled 
these questions in the celebrated treaty of Washington. * 
The right of search was abandoned, and the two countries | 
were to unite in the suppression of the foreign slave trade. j 
290. Serious difficulties in Rhode Island arose i 
at this time. According to the old colonial charter, which ! 
even under the Constitution had remained as the funda- | 
mental state law, no citizen could vote unless he had a 


ADMINISTEATT0N8 OF HABRISON AND TYLER. 215 

certain amount of property. It was proposed to alter this 
law and other offensive provisions; but a difference of 
opinion about the manner of doing it created two parties, 
the one called the “suffrage party,” and the other, the “law 
and order party.” 

Each faction elected a governor, and prepared to support 
its claims by .arms. The leader of the suffrage party, Thomas 
W. Dorr, made an unsuccessful attack upon the state 
arsenal. The government then sent troops to keep the 
peace. Dorr was arrested, convicted of treason, and sen¬ 
tenced to imprisonment for life; but he was afterward 
pardoned. A more liberal constitution was adopted in 1843. 

291. At this time much excitement arose about the 
Mormons, a religious sect, headed by Joseph Smith. 
Smith was a native of Vermont, and seems to have been of 
questionable character. He claimed that divine aid enabled 
him to discover certain golden plates, covered with a sort 
of Egyptian characters, and to translate them, and thus to 
produce the Book of Mormon. He and his followers 
removed in 1831 from New York, where he founded his 
first church, to Ohio, thence to Missouri, and thence to 
Illinois. Here they founded Nauvoo, which became a 
flourishing city of ten thousand inhabitants. 

The practice of polygamy among them rendered them 
odious to their neighbors. Robberies and murders com¬ 
mitted near the city were attributed to them, and they 
passed ordinances thought to be at variance with the state 
laws. The anger of the people was increased by the belief 
that the Mormons controlled the county courts, and defied 
attempts to bring them to justice. 

Their prophet was assailed by a mob and killed in 1844. 
Some time after this, their city was attacked and bombarded 
for three days, when the inhabitants fled and migrated to 
the wilderness beyond the Rocky Mountains. There they 
founded Salt Lake City, and industriously overcame the 
difficulties of their location, and made a prosperous settle¬ 
ment. Brigham Young was their leader after the death of 


216 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Smith until his own death in 1877. The sect call themselves 
the Latter Day Saints, and their highest law is the Book 
of Mormon. 

292. But the great question of this administration was 
the annexation of Texas. For a long time it had 
been the policy of Mexico, to which Texas belonged, to 
keep it uninhabited, that the more vigorous Americans 
might not encroach on the feeble Mexicans. As earjy as 
1819, a certain James Long, with seventy-five lawless 
adventurers from Mississippi, invaded the country, and 
issued a proclamation calling upon the native Spaniards to 
unite their territory to the United States. Long pompously 
styled himself “President of the Supreme Council of 
Texas.” His party was speedily dispersed. 

In 1821, Stephen F. Austin, of Connecticut, obtained from 
the Spanish authorities permission to establish a colony of 
three hundred Catholic families in Texas. He took slavery 
with him, and so rapidly did his colony grow, that at the 
end of one decade, ten thousand citizens of the United 
States had found homes in Texas. After some years, 
Mexico passed a decree freeing every slave in Mexican 
territory. This did not suit the slave - holding colony in 
Texas, and hence, as there was no pretext for war, propo¬ 
sitions were made for the purchase of the country by the 
United States. At first President Jackson offered one 
million dollars, and then five millions. Both offers were 
promptly rejected. 

Then the government encouraged immigration into Texas; 
and soon the American settlers found themselves in full 
possession. They immediately issued a declaration of 
independence. Of the fifty-seven signers of this document, 
fifty were from the slave-holding states, and only three were 
native Mexicans. There was much sympathy with the Texan 
colonists in this country, and especially in the South, and ! 
many adventurers, including a few men of ability, went to * 
Texas to assist in securing independence. After some 
sharp fighting, this was achieved, and it was acknowledged 




AUMINISTUATIONS of HMilUSON AND TYLER. 217 


by the United States, E:ngland, and France. The new 
. nation nnmediately sought admission into the Union, and 
its application was welcomed by maiiv. 

29o. It was iVankly admitted liy Calhoun that the 
object of (tnnexdtion was “to uphold the interests of 
slavery, extend its influence, and secure its perpetual dura¬ 
tion.” Tlie Soutli saw that the rapid growth of the North¬ 
west would take the control of the government out of their 
hands unless they could add more slave territory to the 
soutliern border. Texas was about five times as large as 
^sew \ ork. It was believed that freedom would there be 
outvoted, and that slavery would prosper. From the North, 
petitions adverse to annexation, and signed by thousands, 
poured into Congress. Ffforts were made to exclude them; 
but ex-President Adams, then a Congressman, spoke an 
hour a day for twelve days in liehalf of the petitioners and 
amid constant interruption. But a rule was adopted — 
and it remained in force ten years —to exclude all petitions 
on the subject of slavery. 

294. But the act of amiejcation was not to be pre¬ 
vented. The bill passed 



Congress in 1845, but 
only by the artifice of 
voting on a resolution 
of annexation, requir¬ 
ing merely a majority 
of the votes, instead of 


SEAL OP TEXAS. "" 

the ratification of a treaty, which would have required two- 
thiids of the members. The United States assumed the 
debts of Texas, amounting to seven million dollars. “This 
seemed at the time a vast sum to pay for a doubtful advan- 
tage, and it was said that the word ‘Texas’ was only ‘Taxes’ 
with the letters differently arranged.” 

295. The development of postal affaiTS was slow 
but wonderful. When Washington became President, there 
were only seventy-five post-offices in the country, and the 
mails between New York and Boston were carried on horse- 
10 





218 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


back, and only twice a week, occupying five days in the 
transit. T. he rate of letter postage during whole generations 
was twenty-five cents, and was reduced to ten cents in 1845, 
and to three cents in 1851. Postal cards came into use long 
afterward — in 1873. In 1878 there were over thirty-eight 
thousand offices, from which seven hundred million letters 
were annually sent. 

296 . The magnetic telegraph is a modem inven¬ 
tion, for which scientific minds on both sides of the ocean 
had lorig been preparing. The identity of lightning and 
electricity had been known for ninety years ; but, though 
this strange power had been carefully studied, it had not 
been brought into the service of man. Lightning-rods had 
only disarmed it. 

297. The first of the earlg experimenters was 
Franklin. He sent lightning across the Schuylkill River on 
a wire. As early as 1798, some Spanish experimenters sent 
a signal on a wire twenty-six miles long. One man dis¬ 
covered that the impulse passed instantaneously; another, 
that the current could be instantly broken and instantly 
le-united, and another, that it was possible to record at one 
end of the line a message sent from the other. It took a 
great many years to make these discoveries. 

298. Almost at the same time, th ree men—^n English¬ 
man, a (xerman, and an American—began to invent a system 
of telegraphing by electricity. No one of them knew about 
the labors of the others. The Englishman was William 
Wheatstone. He completed his invention and put it in 
operation in 1837. His method is still in use in England. 
The German was Professor A. C. Steinheil. His method Avas 
niucji superior to Wheatstone’s. The American was Samuel 
h . L. Morse, of Massachusetts. With remarkable generosity 
Stninheil admitted the superiority of Morse’s metluTd, but 
Wheatstone never did. 

39!). The stofu of Slopse’fi invention, wliich is 
now used Tiearly exclusively over the world, is as follows: 
111 1833, Morse, who had visited Europe to study and 





administrations of HARRISON AND TYLER. 219 


practice painting, took 



SAMUEL P. B. MORSE. 

details of his invention. 


])assage on a French sliip for 
America. One day, at the dinner- 
table, the conversation turned upon 
the recent discoveries in electro¬ 
magnetism. During the talk Morse 
remarked: “If the presence of elec¬ 
tricity can be made visible in any 
part of a circuit, T see no reason 
why intelligence may not be trans¬ 
mitted instantaneously l)y it.” This 
one idea took complete possession 
of his mind. He spent the re¬ 
mainder of the vovage in inventino- 

. . . o o 

his instruments and planning the 


300. JahoVA began at once. But he worked with 

small means and with but little encouragement. At the 
end of five years his instruments were completed. He put 
half a mile of wire in coils around his room, and sent through 
it a message which was correctly recorded at the other end. 
Next year he asked Congress to aid him in the construction 
of an experimental line from Washington to Baltimore, a 
distance of forty miles. But Congress would not listen to 
him. He went to Europe, and was no better appreciated. 
Returning home, he labored on, encouraged by the good 
wishes of his friends, but unaided by the politicians at 
Washington. A bill in his behalf was brought before 
Congress, but it was sarcastically amended so as to include 
a line to the moon, and to provide pay for experiments in 
witchcraft and mesmerism. Session after session he renewed 
his application for national aid, but he met ordy rebuff and 
defeat. 


301. But success came at last. On the last day of the 
session of 1843, there was still no prospect of aid, Morse 
left the chamber in deep disappointment at eleven o’clock 
at night; but next morning at the breakfast-table he was 
startled by the announcement that, ten minutes before 




220 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


adjournment, Congress liad voted him thirty thousand 
dollars to set up his proposed line. His long struggle was 
over. The line was constructed the following year, and 
was comiDletely successful. 

The first message sent was the words, '‘^What God hath 
wrought suggested to Morse by his young friend. Miss 
Annie Ellsworth, who had brought him the tidings of his 
success. The first news sent was a notice to Silas Wrio-ht, 
in Washington, of his nomination for the office of Vice- 
President, by the Democratic convention in Baltimore, and 
his reply declining the honor. On the same day the news 
of the nomination of .James K. Polk, as candidate for Presi¬ 
dent, was sent to M^ashington. These dispatches were 
published next morning in the papers, but were not believed, 
the people preferring to wait for more reliable news. In 
commemoration of this great advance in useful invention, 
a popular poet wrote: 

“ What more, presumptuous mortals, will you dare? 

See Franklin seize the Clouds, their bolts to bury. 

The Sun assigns his pencil to Daguerre; 

And ]\Iorse, the Lightning makes his secretary! ” 

302. The honors of the invention are shared by 
several men. Wheatstone put the first line in operation; 
but his invention was not so early as that of Morse, and he 
borrowed most of his ideas from a young Englishman named 
V illiam F. Cooke. Morse was greatl}^ aided by the inves¬ 
tigations of Prof. .Joseph Henry, and the inventive o^enius 
of Alfred Vail, of New Jersev. 

303 The value of the invention was immediately 
acknowledged^ throughout the world. Seventeen years 
before, the British government, when asked to aid the early 
experimenters, replied: “Telegraphs are of no use in times ^ 
of peace, and during war the semaphore answers all required | 
purposes.” But now telegraphic lines were rapidly erected f 
on both sides of the ocean. In 1874 there were in America I 
250,000 miles of wire, and in foreign countries 600,000. The \ 



administrations on HARRISON AND TYLER. 221 


00?onn^ "'"P throughout the world are about 

*40,000,000 per annu.u, and tl,e total nu.nber of messages 
abo,.t seventy-five m.lllons. Morse’s apparatus is use.l 
early exclusively in America, and in sixty per cent, of all 
the offices in the rest of the world. 

304. The principal improvements applied to the 
apparatus of Morse are three in number ; 1. The Repeater, 
by which messages may be sent over distances ranging from 
five hundred to ten thousand miles without re-writing. 

■ le Duplex Apparatus, invented by Joseph 13. Stearns, 
of Boston, by which as high as sixteen different messages 
have been faithfully transmitted in opposite directions over 
the same wire at the same-time, eight passing in one direc- 

" ^^'^l^phone, invented 
in 18,6 The honor of this invention has been conte.sted 
by Professor A. Graham Bell, of Salem, and Mr. Elisha Gray 
o icago. By it, sounds, tones, and musical notes are 
communicated over long distances in the electric current. A 

gentleman in Portland talked 
uith his friends in Boston, 
recognizing them by their 
voices. A lady in Boston 
talked with her friend in 
Salem in a loJiisper. A ball 
in Chicago has been supplied 
with music by wire from Mil¬ 
waukee. 

305. Tn 1839, Charles Good¬ 
year discovered the process of 
vulcdnixhuf nthher, by 
the accidental mixing of a bit 
of rubber and sulphur on a 

CHARLES GOODYEAR. U L j. mi • • , 

red-hot stove. This simple 
discovery was the basis of the present great rubber indus¬ 
tries throughout the world. 

306. Soon after the purchase of Florida^ it was 
organized as a territory. It contained the oldest settle- 




222 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


ments in the Union. On the last day of his administra- 

tion Tyler signed a 
bill for its admission 
as a state. 

b07. In 1842, an an¬ 
nouncement was made 
of the discovery of the 

antarctic conti- 

. , Four years be¬ 

fore,the government had sent out an exploring expedition 
into the antarctic seas. It was attended by a strong scientific 
corps. It made many important 'discoveries in the far 
south, and coasted along the antarctic continent a distance 
of about two thousand miles. 

308. When the time for the presUlenUal cam¬ 
paign came again, Congress and tlie country were violently 
agitated by the Te.xas question. It was the main issue 
dividing the parties. Tlie Whigs, who opposed the anne.xa- 
tion, nominated Henry Clay, tiie idol of his party. Tlie 
Democrats, who favored it, nominated James K. Polk of 
Tennessee. The Abolitionists again nominated .lames’ G. 
Uirney. The canvass was a zealously contested one. Clay 
was in a trying place. He was not pro-slavery enough for 
the South, nor anti-slavery enough for the North Just 
liefore election he disgusted his friends and ruined his 
chances by writing: “Personally, I could have no obiection 
to the annexation of Texas.” 



309. Election dnxj decided the contest in favor of 
Polk, who received a large electoral, and a small popular 
majority. Birney, as before, did not receive a single elec¬ 
toral vote; but he was supported Iiy si.xty-five tJiousand 
popular ballots. The result was to be the -Me.xican war as 
had often been foretold. Thus the Democrats assiiined 
control ag.ain; ami, the Te.xas bill having j.assed three days 
before, the j,residency of Tyler ended amid the hurrahs of 
th.e Democrats and the curses of the Whigs. 





POLK'S ADMINISTRATION. 


223 


CHAPTER XII. 

POLK'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1S40 — 1849. 

310. ITie new President had served in. Congress, 
as member or Speaker, for fourteen years. 
He had served as Governor of Tennessee, 
and at the early age of forty-nine was called 
to the presidential chair. His election united 
the Democratic party, which had been dis¬ 
turbed by political differences during Tyler’s 
term of office. He was pledged to the one- 
term principle, and hence was not a candidate 
for re-election. He died of the cholera 
three months after his retirement. 

31J. A question relating* to the western 

hounda Pf/ was settled at this time. Oregon had long 
been claimed by the United States from the discov*eries 
of Lewis and Clarke, but the region had really been 
under control of the British fur companies. Many Ameri¬ 
cans settled there, but no definite boundaries had been 
established. The United States claimed as far north as 
54° 40'; and the mottoes, Fifty - four forty or fight,” and 
“All Oregon or none,” became popular electioneering cries. 
But it was finally decided that the line should be drawn at 
49°. This reflected credit on Polk’s administration, and 
finally gave satisfaction to all. 

312. No sooner was Texas annexed than the country 
found it had another question of houndarq to 
settle, this time in the southwest. The Texans claimed 
the country southward to the Rio Grande ; but Mexico 
declared that the so-called republic of Texas extended no 
further than to the Nueces The disputed country was 
small and unimportant. The United States took up the 
quarrel of Texas, and both parties marched to get posses¬ 
sion of the contested territory by force of arms. 



224 


THE MODEL HISTORY 


^ 313. The Americans built Fort Brown, on the Rio 
Grande. This the Mexicans attacked. On the march to 
relieve the garrison, the American commander. General 
Zachary Taylor, met and defeate.l six tliousand .Mexicans at 
Palo Alto. Such was the beginning of the Mexican war. 

314. The plan of 
the war was to in¬ 
vade Mexico on three 
different lines. 1. 
General Taylor was 
to advance southward 
from the Rio Grande. 

2. General Kearney 
was to cross the Rocky 
Mountains and con¬ 
quer New Mexico and 
California. 3. General 
Scott was to advance 
from the gulf coast 
against the Mexican 
capital. 

315. General 
Tat/lor advanced to 
Monterey, a city sur¬ 
rounded by mountains 
and deep ravines, its 

streets barricaded and 

defended by ten tliousand men. Tlie siege lasted three 
days; and then the Americans rushed through the streets 
and alleys, under a destructive fire from the roofs and i 

windows, dashed into the houses, and thus compelled the ! 

Mexicans to surrender. 

316. At Bnenn Vista, Taylor’s army was attacked 
y twenty thousand of the best troops of Mexico, under i 

their lyst general, Santa Anna. The battle hasted till nio-ht i 

and closed in favor of the Americans. Taylor’s work was’ i 















POLK'S administration. 


225 


now done. He simply held the country, sending most of 
his troops to aid General Scott. 

317. ^ General Kearney, with 2,700 men, started 
from Kansas, and marched nearly a thousand miles to 
Santa Fe. He took the capital of New .\Ie.xico without 
bloodshed, and then started on to the conquest of California. 
On his march he met the noted hunter and mountaineer," 
Kit Carson, who informed him that California was already 
in American possession, 

318. A few years before, a young surveyor, named John 
C. Fremont^ had been sent with sixty men to survey a 
southern route to Oregon. He learned that the Mexican 
commander in California was organizing a force to drive out 
the American settlers. He resolved to protect them. They 
flocked to Fremont’s standard, and in every engagement 
they defeated their Mexican enemy. By Fremont’s tdvice, 
the people declared themselves independent, and Mexican 
authority in California was at an end. No discoverer since 
Lewis and Clarke had done so much as Fremont in extend¬ 
ing the knowledge of the far west. 

319. General Scott landed with twelve thousand 
men at Vera Cruz, which surrendered after a bombardment 
of four days. Its defenses were the strongest in America, 
except those of Quebec. The army then began its march 
toward the interior, over mountains, sand-hills, and ravines. 
Several obstinate engagements occurred, in which the 
Americans were always successful, though opposed by 
superior numbers. With an army of 6,000, Scott then 
entered the city, containing a population of 140,000. 

320. The opposition to the ivar was very great 
from the beginning. When hostilities began, the Whigs 
declared that war was not begun by Mexico, but bv 
General Taylor. The eastern states gave but little support 
or sympathy, the volunteers coming chiefly from the South. 
It was apparent to all that the war was fought in the inter¬ 
ests of slavery, the object being to increase slave territory 
on the South, which had been limited on the North by the 

10 * 


226 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Missouri Compromise. It was therefore against the judg¬ 
ment and the conscience of a large body of the people. 

321. A treaty of peace, called the Treaty of Guada- 
llipe Hidalyo , was ratified, by which Mexico surren¬ 
dered New Mexico, Utah, and California to the United 
States, and acknowledged the Rio Grande as the boundary 
of Texas. In return, the United States were to pay Mexico 
eighteen million dollars. Thus enough territory was added 
to the Union to make seventeen states as lar^e as New 
York. 

322. A SU^nnihig tip of the contest showed that, 
though brilliant in a military view, it was far from a 
success in a financial one, having cost one hundred million 
dollars, which was forty times as much as the contested 
territory was worth. In two respects it was a peculiar con¬ 
flict. 1. It was the only war the United States ever waged 
for the acquisition of territory. 2. The Americans never 
lost a battle. They are now believed to have been the 
aggressors in a hasty and unjustifiable Avar. 

323. Peace was no sooner concluded than the discovery 
of gold in California was announced. Captain Sutter, 
a Swiss settler in the valley of the Sacramento, employed 
an American, named Marshall, to erect a saw-mill on the 
American River. The water, in rushing through the race, 
deposited a bank of sand ; and one day Marshall saw, 
glittering in this heap, small particles which he knew to be 
gold. He told Sutter, and they resolved to keep the matter 
secret. 

But the news became noised abroad, and the American 
settlers in California came flocking to the spot. The whole 
surface of the country for miles around the saw-mill was 
torn up by the eager seekers after wealth, and sometimes 
gold to the value of a thousand dollars was picked up by a 
miner in an hour. Gold dust was used instead of coined 
money, and the price of all kinds of provisions became 
enormously high. For a time there seemed no end of 
discoveries. 


POLKAS AD^^NI8TRATI0N. 227 

324. Soon the news reached the Atlantic states, and 
around the world. Then the ijold fever broke out, and 
a rush lor the diggings set in. Men in every station 
and business in life left their homes and started for the 
and of gold. Many took the long, desolate route across 
the plains, rendered dangerous by Indians, famine and 
thirst. Some doubled Cape Horn, and others braved 
the deadly climate of Panama. Within a year San Fran¬ 
cisco grew from a village of clay huts to a city of fifteen 
thousand people, living in caves, tents, wooden shanties, and 
unpainted hotels. Four million dollars were obtained the 
first year. It is estimated that a thousand million dollars 
have been added to the wealth of the world by the mines 
of California. 

For several years the state of society among these adven¬ 
turers was very bad. Lawlessness and disorder prevailed; 
but finally the best citizens took matters into their own 
hands, organized vigilance committees, and administered a 
rough but prompt justice, which soon brought respect for 
the law. Within a few years the “gold fever” subsided, 
and left only disappointment and failure to thousands. But 
the movement populated the western coast, led to the con¬ 
struction of a railroad across the continent, and opened with 
the East a commerce greater than that which inspired 
Columbus to meet unknown dangers on his new route to 
the Indies. 

325. The honor of having invented the Seiviflff 
7¥lG,eJli/n,e belongs to one man, Elias Howe, of Cambridge, 
Massachusetts. As early as 1832, Walter Hunt, of New 
York City, had made a sewing machine, using the shuttle 
in forming the stitch. But it could not he made to seio a 
seam. Howe was laboring on daily wages as a machinist, 
when the great idea was suggested to him by a conver¬ 
sation between his employers. He had no knowledge of 
Hunt’s attempts. He used to spend his evenings in search¬ 
ing through books on mechanics, and in watching his wife 
sew, absorbed in thought. For a long time he tried to 


228 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


make a machine to imitate tlie movements of the human 
hand, but with no success at all. On abandoning this idea, 


he hit upon those contrivances 
ever since used in all sewing 
machines — the shuttle, the 
needle with the eye in the 
])oint, the holding surfaces, and 
the feed mechanism. 



Stealing every possible mo¬ 
ment Ironi the labor necessary 
to support his family, he made 
a macliine tJuit did tlte 
receiving pecuniary aid from 
his friend and only convert, 
George Fisher. The machine 


EiLlAS HOWE, JR- 


was tried in a clothing house, and did more work, and of a 
better quality, in a given time, than six of the best seam¬ 
stresses. Strangely enough, no one would buy; and Howe 
turned to England, where he was swindled out of his 
invention by a man named Thomas, who afterward made 
from it an ill-gotten fortune of two million, dollars. In 
order to get money for his passage, Howe left his machine 
in a pawnbroker’s shop, and sadly returned to America. 

He toiled on in poverty years longer, till, through the 
peisistent effort of a noble American, Anson Hurlingame, 
his “ dear little instrument ” was found and brought back. 
Then, in 184G, he applied for his patent. He was able to 
jn’ove clearly that the invention was his own, and that it 
was earlier than all others. His ])atent was issued. He was 
able to command money now, and years were spent in dis¬ 
couraging law-suits and contests with infringers, before his 
claims were affirmed by the courts and his rights secured. 
326. The reception of the Invention was 

peculiar. In this country it was at first looked upon as a 
great curiosity, very ingenious, but far too complicated and 
expensive to come into actual use, except, perhaps, in the 
largest clothing establishments. In England it met with 



POLKAS APyTINTSTRATION. 


99Q 


actual opposition, where it was argued that it would take 
employment from the sewing women. More than ten years 
elapsed after the issue of the lirst patent before the machine 
became popular, and was seen outside of large tailoring 
houses or in the homes of the people. 

d27. 1 he first machine carried the invention well on 

toward perfection; but nidny improvements have since 
been made Almost two thousand ])atents have been issued 
in this country for alleged improvements; but the great 
improvements are not more than ten in number, and were 
made in the infancy of the machine. The highest j)lace 
among the improvers belongs to Allen B. Wilson, who 
invented an effective machine without having seen one, or 
known of Mr. Howe’s labors. Instead of the shuttle he 
used a revolving hook — a most ingenious device. 

I. M. Singer was another of the early improvers. William 
O. Grover, a Boston tailor, invented the exquisite contriv¬ 
ance by which the famous Grover and Baker stitch is 
formed. “No successful sewing machine has ever been 
made which does not contain some of the essential devices 
of the first attempt;” and every manufacturer in America 
has paid to Mr. Howe a royalty on every machine, for using 
the contrivances enqdoyed in his “dear little instrument.” 

328. The results of the invention are already 
vast, and its usefulness has only just begun. The first 
inventor soon had an ample income as some compensation 
for his early struggles with poverty; and the large manu¬ 
facturers of machines made fortunes which can only be 
counted by millions. The sale of machines has been enor¬ 
mous, as high as one million of American manufacture 
having been sold in 1872. The chief glory of Elias Howe’s 
achievement consists in emancipating woman from the 
slavery of the needle. 

329. In 1848, the first (tstflum for idiots was set up 
in Boston. Previously this unfortunate class had been 
regarded as incapable of improvement. They had been 
neglected and abused. It was soon shown that they could 


230 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 




be raised from a state of low degradation into a better con¬ 
dition. Many became able to converse in sign language, 
and about one-fourth of those admitted were enabled to 
perform the simple duties of life with tolerable ability. 
There are now ten such schools in the Union, mostly sup¬ 
ported by state patronage. 

330. Iowa was a part of the Louisiana Purchase, and 

was settled as early as 
1788 by a Canadian- 
French man, named 
Dubuque, who came to 
mine lead and trade 
with the Indians. Jt 

SEAL OP IOWA. was organized as a 

territory in 1838, and in 1846 was admitted into the Union. 
Since that time it has had a very rapid development. 

331. Like several other states, Wisconsin was first 

explored by French 
traders, priests, and 
trappers. The first 
settlement was made 
at Prairie du Chien. 
It Was not much 
settled by Americans 

SEAL OP WISCONSIN. ^333^ remained 

a territory twelve years, and entered the Union in 1848. 

333. Botli political parties made efforts to secure the 
control of the territory acquired by the war. For this 
purpose, the Wilmot Pcociso, so named from its 
author, David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, was introduced 
into Congress, excluding slavery from the whole of the new 
acquisitions. It was long discussed, but finally defeated. 

333. The subject of slavery, being thrown prominently 
before the people, led to the formation of a new party 
whose object was to oppose the further extension of the’ 

Freesoil party, and advo¬ 
cated the Wilmot Proviso. It took an active part in politics 







TAYLOR'S AND FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATIONS. 231 


although it was, for many years, small and extremely unpopu¬ 
lar. But it was composed of determined men, and it 
gradually increased in numbers and influence. The Abo¬ 
litionists joined the Freesoilers. At a later period, under 
the name of the Republican party, it obtained control of 
the government. 

334. When the time came to nominate pTesidentlal 
CCindulilteSf the Democrats brought forward Lewis Cass, 
of Michigan ; the Freesoilers, ex-President Martin Van 
Buren; and the Whigs, General Zachary Taylor. The 
Freesoilers fought for a principle, and did not expect 
victory. Van Buren received no electoral votes, but was 
supported by 290,000 of his countrymen. The real contest 
lay between Cass and Taylor; and, as the position of their 
parties respecting slavery in the territories, was not yet 
clearly made out, the election was decided by the personal 
])opularity of the candidates. The recent military success 
of General Taylor made him a public favorite, and he was 
elected by a large majority. Millard Fillmore, of New York, 
was chosen as Vice-President. Thus the Whigs again came 
into power. 

CHAPTER XIIl. 

TAYLOR'S AND FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATIONS. 

1849 —1853. 

335. The 7iew Teesident had served with dis¬ 
tinction in the Mexican war. He was extremely popular 

with his soldiers, and they admiringly 
called him “Old Rough and Ready.” 
But he knew nothing of civil affairs, and 
had taken so little interest in politics 
that he had never voted in his life. He 
felt his lack of qualifications, and ex¬ 
pressed regrets that he had accepted 
office. He had nothing but a successful 
battle to recommend him to the North, 
and nothing but his slaves to win him the support of the 




232 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 



SEAL OP CALIFORNIA. 


South. Personally, he was highly esteemed for his patriot¬ 
ism and intense honesty of purpose. 

336. Soon after the inauguration, California^ which 
had suddenly assumed great importance from the discovery 

of gold, called a con¬ 
vention, adopted a 
constitution prohibit¬ 
ing slavery, and asked 
to be admitted into the 
Union. At this, there 
arose in Congress the 
old agitation respect- 
mg slavery, which had been reasonably quiet at Washington 
for the last thirty years, since the jiassage of tlie Missouri 
Coinprormse. The South bitterly ojrposed the petition, on the 
ground that California was south of the line of 36° 30', and 
therefore open to the introduction of slavery. The North 
replied that the argument, such as it was, could aiiply to 
only a part of the new state, that the Compromise had 
reference only to the Louisiana purchase, and that the 
people had chosen freedom, as they had a right to do 
Snell was the issue about which arose a controversy so 
bitter that the stability of the Union was endaiio-ered 
337. In a spirit of mutual concession, compromise 
measures were brought forward by Henry Clay, who has 
been called The Great Pacificator. He had been appointed 
chairinan of a committee of thirteen, to whom all the ques¬ 
tions under discussion were referred. He and IVebster 
used all their eloquence in urging the necessity of forbear- 
ance and conciliation This bill-called The Omnihus 
B,U, from the number and variety of its provisions — 
pro,,osed five things. 1. The admission of California as a 

shoi.l n f r Utah and New Mexico 

should be formed without any provision respecting slavery. 

r ; "ot more than four states out of tlie 

rerritory of Te.xas without provision concerning slavery. 

4. The abolition of the slave trade in the District of Coluiiiblii. 




TAYLOR'S AND FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATIONS. 233 


5. The enactment of a more rigorous law for the recovery 
of fugitive slaves. 

338. These proposals only added point to the dehate, 
It^vas urged that the advantage of the last provision should 
make the compromise acceptable to the South, whence 
slaves in large numbers were continually escaping. By 
others it was argued that the bill conceded much to slavery 
and little to freedom; and that to permit slaveholders to 
re-capture their escaped slaves in any part of the free states, 
and to carry them back without proof of ownership or trial 

unconstitutional as well as inhuman. The 
measure was opposed by the Abolition party all over the 
country, and by the leading anti-slavery orators, as Horace 
Mann, Charles Sumner, W. L. Garrison, and Wendell 
Phillips. But it was acceptable to the South, was suj)ported 
by Clay, Webster, and other statesmen in the North, and 
heccnne a law. 

339. While this contest was going on, the death of 
the President occurred, after an ill¬ 
ness of five days. He had served sixteen 
months. His last words were: “1 have 
tried to do my duty.” He was immedi¬ 
ately succeeded by Mr. Fillmore. 

340. By tJte seventh census^ 
taken in 1850, the population of the 
whole nation was twenty-three millions 
(23,191,870). 

341. At this time much interest was felt in avetie 
e.rplovation • An English explorer, named Sir .John 
Fraid<lin, had .sailed to the arctic seas in 1845. No tidino-s 
had been received from his party, and it was feared they 
might be suffering for help. To discover new lands and to 
do a deed of humanity, Henry Grinnell,a wealthy merchant 
of New York, fitted out an expedition for the North. A 
few years later, another party sailed under Dr. Elisha Kent 
Kane, a resolute and scientific exjilorer. No record of Sir 
John and his men could be found ; and no doubt was left 



234 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


that they had perished in or near the northern seas. Still 
later voyages to the frozen zone have been made for scien¬ 
tific exploration. One of these was led by Captain Charles 
F. Hall, and another by Captain Isaac I. Hayes. » 

342. During this administration the Department of 
the Interior was formed to relieve the Secretary of State 
of a part of his duties. Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, was the 
first incumbent, and was charged with the management of 
public lands, the care of the Indians, and the issuing 
of patents to inventors. 

343. After a trial, it was found that the operation 
of the Fngitive Slave Law only tended to disturb 
the country still more. In Ohio, a woman named Margaret 
Garner killed two of her children rather than see them 
carried back to the South. State troops were called out to 
aid in the arrest of a fugitive slave named Anthony Burns. 
Private citizens were obliged by law to assist the slaveholder 
in arresting and binding his slaves. It was also found that 
many free colored people in the North were unjustly claimed 
and returned. In the North these things were regarded as 
outrages; and in several states laws were passed t”o restrict 
or wholly defeat the operation of the Fugitive Slave Law. 

344. The undergronnd railroad was an anti¬ 
slavery invention. Abolitionists near the border of the 
slave states received runaway slaves into their homes, con¬ 
cealed them from their pursuers, and sent them northward 
to their friends. These too cared for them and sent them 
on to another station as before, carefully disguised or con- ' 
cealed. The object of the fugitives was to reach Canada, 

^ from which they could not be returned into slaverv. Many 
of them escaped across the Ohio River on floating'^ice or by 
lying concealed in vessels. On the coast many hid theni- 
selves in the hold of ships, or were sent nortl/in boxes as 
merchandise. The story of the U. G. R. R. is full of pa¬ 
thetic and tragic interest. The Abolitionists believed that 
they were justified in opposing and thwarting an unholy 
law for the sake of oppressed humanity. 


PIERCERS ABMINISTUATION. 


235 


345. During this administration the country was called 
upon to mourn the loss of (IfStillf/iiished meiif as 
well as the death of a President. John C. Calhoun died at 
the age of sixty-eight. Two years afterward, Henry Clay 
and Daniel Webster closed their careers. Thus within four 
years America lost her three greatest orators and statesmen. 

34G. When the next President was to be elected, the 
(ittitlfde of l^drtles was peculiar. The question at issue 
was the Compromise Act of 1850. But both Democrats 
and Whigs were agreed on the wisdom of that measure, 
and stood by the provisions of the Omnibus Bill. The 
Freesoilers doubted its wisdom, and declared that all the 
territories should be free. 

347. The Cdfldidates were Franklin Pierce, of New 
Hampshire, representing the Democratic party, who was 
nominated on the forty-ninth ballot—“a man whose previous 
obscurity served at least to shield him from personal attack.” 
General Winfield Scott represented the Whigs; and John 
P. Hale, of New Hampshire, the Freesoilers. Pierce was 
elected by a large majority, Scott receiving the vote of only 
three states. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION. 

18S3 — JSS7. 

348. The new Chief Magistrate was a lawyer 
of prominence and a statesman of considerable ability. He 

had been a member of both houses of 
Congress, and had served with distinction 
as a general in the Mexican war. He was 
one of that large class called northern 
men with southern principles. His term 
of office was one of the stormiest in our 
history. He came into office pledged to 
suppress the slavery agitation, and his 
sympathies and influence were always in 
favor of the South. But afterward, when the civil war 




236 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


broke out, he espoused the cause of the Union, and urged 
a support of the government at Washington. 

349. In the early part of this presidency, an acquisition 
of territory was made in the purchase of a strip of land on 
the Mexican border. At the time of the treaty of Guada¬ 
lupe Hidalgo, the maps were so imperfect that the lines 
were not drawn with sufficient exactness. Both countries 
claimed the Mesilla valley, which was said to be very fertile, 
and which was important to the United States as affording 
what was regarded as the best route to California. For ten 
million dollars Mexico surrendered its title to the disputed 
territory, and guaranteed to the United States the free 
navigation of the Gulf of California and the Colorado 
River. This acquisition was called the Gadsden Pur¬ 
chase, from the name of the minister who negotiated it. 
It was afterward organized into the Territory of Arizona. 

350. Very soon the President was called upon to take a 
part in the opening ceremonies of the World’s Fair, an 
exhibition of all nations. Two years before, England had 
erected a costly building of glass and iron, and had invited 
tlie different nations to put on exhibition samples of their 



manufactures, inventions, agricultural products, and works 
o art. Now a similar enterprise was started here. A 

( Vvsfai Polo/a.-. 1—:ix • -\T -r.. , 


its ports to foreign coin- 
on the unnsif 


empire 



merce, and seamen shipwrecked on the 


PIERCERS ADMINISTRATIOJSf. 


237 


The order was disregarded, and a plan for a commercial 
treaty unfolded. On a stated day the expedition landed 
and delivered the letter of the President. The procession 
was received with great pomp, and informed that an answer 
would be returned in the spring. The treaty which followed 
opened the ports of Japan almost for the Krst time in history, 
and secured to American merchants the rich commerce of 
the East. 

353. The construction of a PaHfie Rail mad had 
been proposed for several years. As early as 1846, a Mr. 
Whitney proposed to make a road from Lake Michigan to 
the mouth of the Columbia River, if Congress would vote 
him a strip of land ten miles wide on each side of the track. 
This bill was lost through indifference rather than oppo¬ 
sition. Tlvee years later, P. F. Degrand proposed to con¬ 
struct from St. Louis to San Francisco a double-track road, 
if Congress would vote one hundred million dollars and the 
same amount of land as was demanded by Whitney. The 
Panama Railroad w^as completed by American capitalists 
in 1855. In 1853, the first corps of engineers was sent out 
to survey the various routes to the Pacific. The enterprise 
was at first pronounced an idle dream, then considered 
possible, and finally begun and finished, though not till 
many years after the work was projected. 

353. The slavery agitation took the form of a 
contest about the territorial organization of a vast region 
west of the Missouri River. The friends of slavery claimed 
that the Omnibus Bill, by admitting California as a free 
state, had broken the Missouri Compromise; but the friends 
of freedom insisted on its validity. 

354. In order to secure a temporary settlement of the 
matter, Stephen A. Douglas, a Senator from Illinois, intro¬ 
duced a bill, known as the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 
providing for the organization of two territories, to be 
called Kansas and Nebraska. It was proposed to leave the 
question of slavery or freedom to the people of these terri¬ 
tories for decision when they should seek admission as 


238 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


states. Immediately the violent debates in Congress and 
the stormy scenes among the people broke forth again. 
The doctrine of popular sovereignty, sometimes nicknamed 
“squatter sovereignty,” was violently denounced in one 
section, and praised as the very essence of republicanism 
in the other. Three thousand clergymen of New England 
petitioned Congress against the bill; but all efforts to defeat 
it failed, and it became a law. It was a virtual repeal of 
the Missouri Compromise. 

355. THe effect was immediately apparent. The law 
increased rather than allayed the excitement. In the North 
it was said that an attempt was made to introduce slaverv 
everywhere ; and the story was told of a Senator from 
Georgia who had boasted that he would yet live to “call 
the roll of his slaves from Bunker Hill.” The anti-slavery 
party was greatly strengthened, and a struggle ensued 
between the champions of slavery and the friends of free¬ 
dom to secure possession of the new territories. From both 
North and South emigrants rushed to Kansas to out-number 
and out-vote each other. 

This was especially the case with a class of Missourians, 
who could cross the border, commit depredations, vote at 
elections, and retreat undisturbed. These invaders were 
called Border Ruffians. They took possession of the Mis¬ 
souri River, and prevented settlers from the North from 
entering Kansas, except by a circuitous route through Iowa. 
The United States officials supported sometimes one party 
and sometimes the other, and governor after governor, sent 
out from Washington, was removed or resigned in despair. 
Two separate constitutions, two rival Legisfatures, and two 
capitals were chosen by the settlers. Civil war was appar¬ 
ently inevitable, and it came in its worst form. 

356. Bleeding Kansas ’’ was the universal talk. 
The ruffians sacked and burned the town of Lawrence, 
lately settled by men from Massachusetts. Frequent con¬ 
flicts between the military parties occurred. Stealing 
horses and cattle became very common, so that men would 


prEllCE 'S ADMINISTliATION. 


239 


speak of a pro-slavery horse or an anti-slavery cow, according 
to the political views of the owner. Outrages of all kinds 
were committed, a.id neither life nor property was safe. 
Peace was not restored till the President sent a governor 
backed by a strong military force. 

357. A memorffhle inrUlent of this contest in 
Congress was the election of Nathaniel P. Banks, of Massa¬ 
chusetts, as Speaker of the House of Representatives. This 



358. 


was accomplished on the 133d ballot, after a contest of 
about two months, and was regarded as a victory for the 
anti-slavery })arty. 

A very exciting event in these troublous times 
was the assdiflt on Charles 
Saninerf the Senator from 
Massachusetts. The occasion of 
this outrage was a speech de¬ 
livered by Mr. Sumner a short 
time before, on TJie Critne 
idjcunst ICansas^ in which he 
had denounced slavery, its cham- 
jjions, and its measures, in the 
severest terms. Preston S. 
Brooks, a Representative from 
South Carolina, with a heavy 
cane assaulted the Senator in 
his seat, and beat him over the 
head till he fell bleeding and senseless to the floor. This 
ruffianly personal assault, in the midst of the bitterness of 
])artisan debate, created a still wilder storm of excitement 
in the land. 


CHARLES SUMNER. 


359. The old pavtlf issaes between the Whigs and 
Democrats had gradually disappeared as the old leaders 
passed away. The slavery question now overshadowed 
every other issue. The Freesoilers, the free-sod Democrats, 
and nine-tenths of the Whigs united into a new party under 
the name of Republicans. The exclusion of slavery from 
all the territories by action of Congress was the main feature 


240 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


of their platform. The Democratic party preserved its 
organization, and re-affirmed the doctrines of the Kansas- 
Nebraska Bill. Besides these, there was an American, or 
Know-Nothing party, opposed to foreign, and especially 
Roman Catholic, influence in national legislation. It 
desired to ignore the slavery cpiestion, and held as a leading 
proposition, “Americans should rule America.” 

•360. At the presidential eleetioiif which was pre¬ 
ceded by a very exciting canvass, the Americans, with 
Millard Fillmore as their nominee, carried one state —Marv- 
land. The Republicans, with .rohn C. Fremont at the head 
of their ticket, carried eleven states. The Democrats, 
favoring the extension of slavery wherever it found its way 
by the will of the people, were victorious in the election ' 
of James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, as President, and 
John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, as Vice-President. 


CHAPTER XV. 


BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1857— 1861. 

361. The new JExeeafive had been styled the 
Bachelor President. He had been a 
Senator, Secretary of State, and Minister 
to Russia and England. He came into 
power at a critical time, and declared the 
object of his administration to be “to 
destroy every sectional party, whether 
North or South, and to restore, if possible, 

. ^ fraternal feeling between the states 

that had existed during the early davs of the republic ” 

362. During his first year, the Mormous in Utah 
assumed a defiant bearing, refusing to acknowledo-e anv 
governor but Brigham Young, and even compelling a United 
States judge to adjourn his court at the point of the bowie- 






241 


BUClIAJYAy 'S AJJMfNfSTBATION. 

knife. ^ A force ol twenty-five liuiulred was sent to bring 
them into subjection. They then concluded to come to 
terms. The troops remained in Utah two years to maintain 
order and enforce the laws. 

303. It is pleasing to turn from political quarrels to the 
history of the Atlantic cable. As early as 1845, Mr. 
Morse had ventured the wild prediction that “telegraphic 
communication on the electro-magnetic plan will be estab¬ 
lished across the Atlantic oceaii.” But no message was 
ever sent through a submerged wire till John J. Craven, in 
the employ of Aforse, in 1840, after many persevering experi¬ 
ments, made a cable by protecting a wire with gutta-percha. 
He laid it across the Hudson Biver, and smit messages 
through the water. To him belongs the honor of being the 
pioneer in submarine telegrajiliy. When the fact was 
established that messages could be sent under water, 
experiments multiplied in this country and in Europe, ami 
It was not long before several short lines were laid. None 
of them were longer than one hundred and fifteen miles. 

the cntevpcise was in the 
dining-room of Cyrus AV. Field, 
a wealthy merchant of New 
\ ork, in March, 1854. Seven 
enterprising and prominent 
citizens were present. They 
matured their designs, and pro¬ 
ceeded to. its execution. A 
construction company was 
formed, both in this country 
and in England. A short line 
was laid from Nova Scotia to 
Newfoundland, and soundings 
were made with a view of ex¬ 
tending It to Ireland. It was 
found that the ocean was in no 
place more than two and a half miles deep, and that the 
bottom was nearly level. 

11 


3G4. The ocUjin of 



CYRUS W. FIELD. 



242 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


365. Tlie couiitraction of the cable was a work 
of the greatest difficulty, and sixty-two different kinds of 
rope were tried before the exact form and character was 
determined. The conducting line was made in the form of 
a strand, being composed of one central wire and six others 
drawn around it, all of the purest copper. This strand was 
covered with gutta-percha to exclude the water, and several 
other wires outside to add strength. The cable was made 
in England, and was coiled up on board two large steamers, 
which sailed for America, uncoiling the cable and dropping 
it cpiietly into the sea. Soon it broke, and that attempt 
was a failure. The next summer two steamers were sent 
into mid-ocean, the ends were spliced, and the vessels 
steamed away toward their respective countries. A hun¬ 
dred miles were payed out when a second break occurred. 
Again the ships met, re-spliced, and sailed away. This time 
both ends were successfully landed, and a strong current 
of electricity was received from the other side of the 
Atlantic. 

360. The success was announced to the world in the 
business-like dispatch of Mr. Field, ‘‘The cable is success¬ 
fully laid.” The public, discouraged by delays and failures, 
had lost faith in ultimate success. The news thrilled the 
country like an electric shock, and the whole land sent up 
a shout of rejoicing. Congratulatory messages were sent 
by Queen Victoria and President Buchanan. Then was 
sent, “ Europe and xlmerica are united by telegraph. Glory 
to God in the highest; on earth peace and good will toward 
men.” 

367. In 1859, a new industry was suddenly developed 
in western Pennsylvania. It was the petcolcnui busi¬ 
ness, As early as 1819, in boring a well in Ohio for brine 
for salt-making, a mineral oil was struck, instead of water. 
It was a source of great annoyance to the salt-makers. 
Attempts to use it for illuminating purposes failed for want 
of proper lamps. Many years afterward, oil was extensively 


bug BANANAS ADMINISTRATION. 243 

made from coal, and was called kerosene or coal-oil. The 
process of manufacture was expensive, and it was finally 
proposed to sink wells for the native mineral oil. 

A well was bored in Venango County, Pennsylvania, 
seventy-two feet deep, from which a flow of ten barrels a 
day was obtained. This yield was worth two hundred 
dollars. The wildest excitement and speculation immedi¬ 
ately followed. Land, worthless before, became of immense 
value, and wells were sunk in great numbers in all direc¬ 
tions. Some of these yielded nothing, and others as high 
as two thousand barrels a day. The speculative spirit 
passed away in a few years, and the business became a 
settled industry. Large fortunes have been made, and an 
excellent and cheap illumination has been furnished for 
the world. 

368. In spite of the President’s efforts, the sldVSVi/ 
question continued to be the disturbing theme. The 
North was irritated at the defiant bearing of the slave 
powerj and the South was angered at the growing oppo¬ 
sition to their institutions. 

369. Soon the Deed Scott Decision was made, by 
which the Supreme Court of the United States declared 
that negroes are not, and can not become, citizens. Chief- 
Justice Taney referred to the fact of history (and was 
understood by many to declare) that “negroes have no 
rights which white men are bound to respect.” 

370. Several of the free states immediately passed 
JPersonul Llhevt q DillSf intended to prevent the 
execution of the Fugitive Slave Law, and to secure run¬ 
away slaves the benefit of trial by jury. 

371. The country was soon startled by the John 
Dvoivn vuid. The scheme was devised by an old man 
named John Brown, who, with his sons, had taken a part 
in the border warfare in Kansas, and had done some sharp 
fighting there. His plan was to excite an insurrection 
among the slaves, arm them, and thus attack slavery in the 




THE MODEL HISTORY. 




slave states themselves. In order to secure weapons for his 
army of blacks, he, with twenty-one followers, seized the 

arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, and 
held the town. 

By delaying his departure he 
was overpowered by the state 
militia, and most of his com¬ 
panions were killed. A few 
others who were posted on the 
outside of the town escaped to 
the mountains, and thence, after 
many perils and hardships, to 
the free states. Brown was put 
on trial before a Virginia jury 
charged with murder, treason, 
JOHN r.ROAVN. and exciting insurrection. In a 

few weeks after conviction, he was hung, his last act being 
to kiss the forehead of a slave child on his way to execution. 

372. With the Southern people the effects of the 
raid were immediate and disastrous. It was taken as 
evidence of an intention to make war on the South, and as 
the natural result of free-soil doctrines. It was the most 
powerful argument ever placed in the hands of the dis- 
unionists. The South listened with favor to the idea of 



secession, and in the alarm and excitement forgot that most 
Northern people condemned the mad attempt of Brown. 
373. About two hundred years ago. Father Hennepin, a 



French priest, visited 

3Iinnesota. In 
1805, Lieutenant Pike 
explored the Missi- 
sippi to its source. 
The first white settle¬ 
ments were made by 

SP:AL of MINNESOTA. 

a jnirty from the Brit¬ 
ish possessions in the north. Its climate being severe, its 
growth was slow. In 1857 it entered the Union. 



BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 


245 


f 


! 

! 

! 


374. Lewis and Clarke were the early explorers of 

Oregon, The first 
settlement was made 
at Astoria, as a fur¬ 
trading post, by John 
Jacob Astor,a wealthy 
merchant of New 
York. There were no 

SEAL OP OREGON. A • 7 

American homes in 
Oregon till 1834, when a little company of Methodist mis¬ 
sionaries settled in the valley of the Willamette. Its 
population increased rapidly after the discovery of gold on 
the Pacific coast. It became a state in 1859. 

375. In Kff iiSffrS the struggle between freedom and 

slavery still went on. 
The President gave his 
influence to sujiportthe 
pro-slavery men; but 
so strong was the tide 
of immigratioiiTrom the 
free states that it was 
found impossible to 

fasten slavery upon the territory. Kansas entered the 
Union in 1861 as a free state, after six years of angry 
agitation. 

376. The eighth eensus^ taken in 1860, indicated 
a population of over thirty-one millions (31,443,321). 

377. As the time for another election drew near, public 
attention was directed to the I>einoeratlC nationnl 
convention at Charleston. About six hundred delegates 
were in attendance, and they were much divided on the 
question of slavery. The Southern delegates, being unable 
to obtain an expression of their views in the platform, with¬ 
drew from the convention. Thus the great Democratic 
party, which had been victorious for so many years, was 
split asunder. The wedge was slavery. 

378. Thus the people were divided into four parties. 












246 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


The Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckinridge, 
and declared that Congress had recognized slavery in the 
territories, and that any citizen has a right to take slave 
property into any territory without forfeiting ownership. 
The Northern Democrats nominated Stephen A. Douglas, 
and declared that slavery or freedom is a question to be 
decided entirely by the white settlers in a territory. The 
Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, and 
declared that, as there is no law for slavery in the territories, 
and no Legislature to enact one. Congress is bound to pro¬ 
hibit it in every territory. The Constitutional Union party 
nominated John Bell, of Tennessee, and pronounced some¬ 
what vaguely the motto, “The Union, the Constitution, and 
the enforcement of the laws.” 

379. The canvass was one of extraordinary excite¬ 
ment. The public mind was troubled by signs of coming 
danger. Efforts were made to repeat “ the hard cider cam¬ 
paign.” Immense processions paraded the streets, in which 
men split fence-rails on platforms. The Wide-Awakes, 
with capes and torches, were organized by thousands! 
“Honest Old Abe,” “Abe, the Railsplitter,” and many other 
inspiring epithets were on the lips of the Republicans. 
From first to last the campaign was a triumphant success. 
On the night after the election, the telegraph flashed the 
news over the land that Abraham Lincoln was elected 
President, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, Vice-President. 

380. Threats of secession, in the event of Lin¬ 
coln s election, had been freely made during the campaign 
by the Southern leaders. They now declared it was time 
to leave a government which had fallen into the hands of 
their avowed enemies. The North had much to say to them 
about the crime and cowardice of ruining a government 
they could not rule. It was believed that this threat was a 
mere election artifice to secure votes, and would not be 
executed. In this the country was mistaken. 

381 As soon as Lincoln’s election was ascertained, the 
tVOiHc of secession began in South Carolina, which 


Bl/CIIAXA^^^S AI)JII2iISTIiATI0J}^. 


247 


since Jackson’s time, had been the center of political dis¬ 
content. A convention was called, at which a resolution 
favoring secession was unanimously adopted. The I^egis- 
lature immediately passed an ordinance of withdrawal from 
the Xjnion. It was a momentous step. The action was con¬ 
tagious. Within six weeks, .Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, 
G^eorgia, Louisiana, aiid lexas j^assed similar ordinances, 
and their Rei)resentatives and Senators at AYashington 
resigned their seats and left to follow the fortunes of their 
states. 

382. Just before the end of Buchanan’s term, deleirates 
from the seceded states met at 
Montgomery, and formed a govern¬ 
ment called The CoufeiJeente 
States of Aaieviea. They 
elected Jefferson Davis, of Missis- 
si])pi, as President, and Alexander 
H. Stephens, of Georgia, as Auce- 
President. Committees were ap¬ 
pointed on finance, foreign rela¬ 
tions, and military affairs. The 
righteousness of slavery as a ])er- 
rnanent institution was boldly 

.TEFFERsoN DAVIS. (lecfiired, and the policy was openly 
announced to establish a slave - holding republic in tlie 
South. 

383. The course of events was very rapid. Most 
of the friends and indorsers of the President either favored 

} secession or opposed all attemjits to arrest its progress. He 
I was distracted by diverse councils, and allowed most of the 
forts and arsenals in the seceded states to be seized, one 
after another, with their munitions of war. For years the 
military stores had been quietly conveyed southward, under 
authority of a pro-slavery Secretary of AYar. Tlie army had 
been reduced and stationed at remote ])arts on the frontier, 
and the navy was scattered on distant seas. There was a 
cry of “No coercion !” and affairs steadily drifted toward 






248 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


war. For the first time in the J.istory of the republic, the 
resiaeiit-elect slipped into Washington secretly and at 
night. ^ Amid the upheavals of revolution, and in public 
and private alarm, the calamitous presidency of Buchanan 
ended. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

LiycOLN^^S ADMINISTRATION. 

1861 — 1865. 

384. The new Tresident had risen from humble 
life to the Legislature and to Con¬ 
gress. Though he opposed slavery, 
he did not think the Constitution 
gave ^ Congress a right to interfere 
with it where it already existed. 

385. In his inauqural ad¬ 
dress he declared that no state 
could voluntarily withdraw from the 
Union; that he had no intention to 
interfere with slavery; but that his 
oath of office made it his duty to 
hold, occupj-, and possess all the 
property of the United States. To the seceded states he 
said: ‘‘In your hands, my dissatisfied countrymen, not in 
mine, is the momentous issue of civil war.” 

386 The indications of war were too lightly esti- 
mated by both sections. The South believed that the 
people of the North were so engrossed in money-,nakin<r 
and so enfeebled by lu.xurious living, that they could not 
send out a vigorous soldiery, and that victory would be 
easy. They said, “Cotton is king,” and believed that 
foreign nations would soon end the war, in order to supply 
themselves with that staple. The North thought the Jttl 
was all bluster, and that the South would not dare to fi<rht 

for slavery with four million slaves e.xposed to the chances 
or war. 

387. Hostilities began at _Fort Sumter, in Charleston 




LIKCOL^^'S AmII^^ISTEATION. 


249 


harbor. Jt was o'arrisoiied by Major Anderson with eighty 
men. Its su})plies being nearly exhausted, the President 
resolved to provision it. The Confederates demanded its 
surrender. This being refused, it was bombarded from tlie 
city for thirty-four hours. His men being exhausted, his 
quarters on fire, and his ammunition nearly gone, Anderson 
surrendered the fort. These events occurred April 12 and 
13, 18t)l. The war had begun. 

388. A vevien* of the eOHHei^ which brought on the 
civil conflict would show that the evil tree had been planted 
by a past generation, and that its roots were spreading out 
into all the national life. 1. The difference in habits and 
pursuits had tended to weaken the bonds of common ances¬ 
try. 2. Different opinions of the nature of the government, 
— whether it was an indivisible union or a mere com])act 
of states,— had existed from the days of Washington. 3. It 
had long been foreseen that the balance of political power, 
which was steadily moving northward, would at some time 
overthrow the southern rule. 4. The failure of the Missouri 
Compromise, which had preserved peace for forty years, 
revived the earlier threats of disunion. 

5. The tariff, resulting in nidlification, was seen to favor 
the manufacturing North at the ex})ense of the cotton¬ 
growing South. G. Tuttle intercourse between the two 
sections led to jealousy and suspicion, till they looked u])on 
each other almost as separate nationalities. 7. The publi¬ 
cation of sectional books, whose popularity depended on the 
animosity between the two sections, were generally filled 
with ridicule and falsehood, and did much to embitter the 
sectional hatred. 8. The slavery question; especially as 
involved in the annexation of Texas, the Fugitive Slave 
Law, the Dred Scott Decision, the Kansas struggle, the 
.John Brown raid,— these, all these tended to alienate the 
sympathies of the people, and, in the excitements of tluj 
passing hour, make them forget their common interests and 
their common struggles for independence. The gates of 
war were opened. 

11 * 






250 


THE MODEL HI STORY. 


1861. 

389. The effect of the fieiVS from Sumter was won¬ 
derful. No one who was not in the midst of it can imagine 
the storm of excitement that swept over the land. In the 
people had thought that patient labor at recon- 
cdiation would bring the seceded states back into the 
Union, and that the only object was to frighten the North 
into concessions to slavery. Some had thought the South 
should be allowed to go, and very few believed there would 
be much fighting. When the attack came, intense indig¬ 
nation prevailed everywhere, and thousands who before had 
expressed sympathy with the movement, now declared in 
favor of the Union. 

390. In the South the effect was scarcely less marked. 
The wildest joy was manifested that the blow had at last 
been struck that would bring safety to their institutions. 
The colored people took sides with the Union, but, being 
unarmed and ignorant, counted little. White citizens who 
opposed disunion were either forced into silence, killed, or 
driven away. 

391. A call for troops was made in both the North 
and the South. President Lincoln called for 75,000 volun¬ 
teers, to serve three months. The Confederacy called for 
38,000. Both of these calls were responded to with the 
utmost alacrity. Four states —Viginia, North Carolina, 
Arkansas, and Tennessee —not having joined the Confed¬ 
eracy, were included in Lincoln’s call. They sent back 
defiant replies, and soon joined the fortunes of the South. 
The other four slave states —Delaware, Maryland, Ken¬ 
tucky, and Missouri —refused to secede, and declared in 
favor of neutrality. They were thus saved to the Union. 

392. Ihe scene of the war, as now became evident, 
was to be Virginia in the East, and the border slave states, 
Kentucky and Missouri, in the West. From both sections 
troops rushed forward to occupy these states. 

393. The operations in the East were divided 


LINCOLN ’aS administration. 


251 



Chaiubersbiirf; 




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De Grace 


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.'v' 'nFeuuy^ 


Frederick 


Baltimore 


WASHi-jy 


Culpepper 


Chaiitilf 


'ejitreville 


SlaiiassaM 


o Charlottesville 


COLD I 
HARBOR 


^RICHMONIK:^, 

^OFAIR o'akS 




^Jamestowj 

fy^orktown 

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252 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


into two campaigns — one in western Virginia, and the 
other in northern Virginia. 

394. In western Virginia the Union forces, under 
General George B. McClellan, numbered thirty thousand, 
and the Confederates ten thousand. The engagements all 
resulted in victory for the Union; but they were of no great 
magnitude. They served to encourage the North, and led 
to the appointment of McClellan to the main command. 

395. In northern Virginia the army, under Gen¬ 

eral McDowell, crossed the Potomac and took Alexandria. 
To take Richmond was the object of the operations in the 
East during all the years of the war. Led on by the popu¬ 
lar cry, to Hichmond/^^ a forward movement was 

made. After some skirmishing, the two armies met at 
Jinll Itlin» About thirty-five thousand men were engaged 
on each side. A severe battle ensued, and lasted nearly 
all day. McDowell’s army was then thrown into utter 
confusion, and fled panic-stricken to Washington. 

396. The result of this battle was to convince the 
country that the war was to be no mere holiday affair. The 
North saw that the southern people could fight and win 
victories. Both sides set to work to collect and equip 
gigantic armies. President Lincoln called for half a million 
volunteers to serve three years. 

397. The operations In the West were confined to 
Missouri. There was some sharp fighting for possession of 
the State. In most of the engagements the Union forces 
were compelled to retreat. 

398. The Southern ports had been closed early in 
the year by a blockade declared by President Lincoln. No 
ship was allowed to enter or leave. It was a long line of 
coast to be guarded by a small navy, and fast-sailing steam¬ 
ers found little difficulty in running the blockade. By 
escaping past the Union ships on dark nights, during the 
first part of the war, cotton was largely exported to En¬ 
gland, and sold at a high price for muskets, siege-guns, 
powder, and cartridges. For a long time the inefficiency 


LINCOLN'S ADMINISTRATION. 


253 


of the blockade enabled the South to continue the strugjrle 
by obtaining supplies from Europe. But ships were rapidly 
made or purchased, and finally the government at Washing¬ 
ton was able to seal the southern ports. 

399. Coast operations were carried on to capture 
these blockaded ports. Two forts at Hatteras Inlet and two 
at Port Royal, were taken. They were converted into 
depots of supplies for the Union fleet and armies. A 
number of privateers were fitted out by the South to roam 
over the sea and prey on the commerce of the North. In 
this the South was very successful, the privateer Sumter 
alone capturing many rich cargoes. 

400. Foreign relations during the war were satis¬ 
factory to neither of the contesting parties. Soon after the 
opening of hostilities, England and France issued proc¬ 
lamations of neutrality, but acknowledged the South as a 
belligerent power and entitled to the rights of nations 
struggling for independence. This caused anger and alarm 
at the North, where it had been hoped that foreign nations 
would take no part in the quarrel. In the South it caused 
deep disappointment, where it had been expected that the 
foreign demand for cotton would lead the nations to 
acknowledge the independence of the Confederacy, and to 
break the blockade. 

401. An event called the Trent affair^ at this time, 
greatly endangered peaceful relations with England. Mason 
and Slidell, two Confederate ambassadors to England and 
France, ran the blockade and took passage on board the 
Trent, an English mail steamer. The next day the Trent 
was stopped by a United States war vessel, and the com¬ 
missioners were seized and imprisoned at Boston. When 
the news reached England, the whole kingdom burst into a 
blaze of anger. The release of the envoys and satisfaction 
for the insult to a neutral flag were positively demanded. 

War was averted by the wise and far-reaching diplomacy 
of the Secretary of State, William H. Seward. He admitted 
that the seizure was not warranted by the law of nations. 





254 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


and declared that it was done without authority from Wash¬ 
ington. A suitable apology was made, and the ambassadors 
were released and sent to their destination. Thus England 
was committed to a policy concerning the rights of neutral 
vessels which she had always denied, and which the United 
States had always contended for. 

402. During the year the currency of the nation 
greatly changed. The banks suspended specie payments, 
and^nearly all the gold and silver in the country was sent 
to Europe to buy military supplies. A new paper currency 
was created on the credit of the government. In the North 
“greenbacks,” and in the South “confederate scrip,” 
became the money of the people. 

403. The prepurutions for a long war went cease¬ 
lessly forward during the winter. Foundries, ship-yards, 
and manufactories were kept busy night and day. The 
entire energies of both governments centered in the prose¬ 
cution of the war. 

1862 . 

404. The urmies during this year were much the 
largest that had ever aj^peared on the continent. The 
whole Union force amounted to about half a million. 
The Confederate was somewhat smaller. 

405. In the East, General McClellan, with two 
hundred thousand men, set out from Washington to capture 
t e Confederate capital. He proceeded but a short distance 
when he changed his plan and embarked for Yorktown. 
hrom that point he advanced to within seven miles of 
Richmond without much resistance. Here McClellan was 
attacked, and the bloody battle of Fau- Oaks was fought, 
lasting two days, and ending without decisive results. 

n It, the Confederate commander-in-chief. General 
Joseph E. Johnston, was severely wounded. He was suc¬ 
ceeded by General Robert E. Lee, a man of high military 
talents who remained, to the end, the chief stay of the 
Confederacy. McClellan thought best to change the base 


LINCOLN'S ADMINISTBATION. 


255 





































256 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


of his operations to the James River, in order to be near his 
supplies and transports on that 
stream. This extremely hazardous 
movement brought on a series of 
obstinate battles, called the Seven 
Battles of the Ben¬ 
ins a la, For a week the roar of 
battle was almost incessant, but 
the encounters were indecisive, 
though the Union forces were 
obliged to retreat. The campaign 
ended with a loss of forty thousand. 

406. Richmond being thus ren¬ 
dered secure, Lee resolved upon 
an invasion of the IS^orth, In numerous hotly- 
contested battles between Grenerals Lee and Pope, the 
Confederates were successful, and the Union army was 
driven into Washington. Lee marched into Maryland. 
Meanwhile, McClellan had hastily placed his army on trans¬ 
ports and gone northward, following Lee. The latter made 
a stand at Antietain ; and, when McClellan came up, 
one of the greatest battles of the war was fought, raging 
all day and shattering both armies. Lee retreated into 
Virginia, and McClellan was superseded by General Ambrose 
E. Burnside. Lee’s invasion cost him thirty thousand men. 
The Union losses were about the same. 

407. The new commander advanced toward Fredericks¬ 
burg, which was held by Lee, and strongly fortified in the 
rear. When Burnside crossed the river, he brought on 
the bloody battle of Fredericl.shavff , which resulted 
in a Union defeat, with a dreadful loss of twelve thousand. 

408. In the Wesf the commander. General U. S. 
Grant, resolved to drive out the enemy from Kentucky and 
Tennessee. By the aid of the Federal gunboats, commanded 
by Commodore Foote, Fort Henry, on the Tennessee 
River, was taken. The army and the flotilla then proceeded 
to Fort Bonelson, on the Cumberland River. This 





LIN COIN'S ^WJIINISTBATION. 


257 


j place soon surrendered with ten thousand prisoners. The 
I army then occupied Nashville, the Confederates collecting 
their forces and falling back to a 
second line of defenses, of which 
Corinth was the center. This was 
the first decided victory won by the 
Union arms. 

409. At Shiloh these armies 
met again. Grant was violently at¬ 
tacked in his camp, with the river 
in his rear. The Confederates were 
li led by Generals Albert S. Johnston and Beauregard. All 
day long the battle raged with fearful slaughter on both 
sides, and, when night came. Grant was hemmed in near 
the river, protected by the gunboats. During the night the 
Union army was reinforced, and the battle was resumed 
next morning. Finally the Confederates fell back to 
Corinth. The losses were twelve thousand on each side. 
General Johnston was among the killed. On the approach 
of the reinforced Union army, the Confederates abandoned 
the Corinth line, and fell back over a hundred miles to 
Vicksburg and Jackson. 

! 410. But the Confederates resolved not to lose all this 

territory. From east Tennessee two armies marched north¬ 
ward for an invasion of Ken twcj^y. They overcame 
all opposition, and approached so near as to cause a panic 
in Cincinnati and Louisville. Having spent two months in 
! the state, they leisurely retreated before General Buell’s 
i army of a hundred thousand, sweeping with them a long 
train of a thousand wagon-loads of spoils. 

411. The naeal operations of the year were impor¬ 
tant as introducing a new method of marine warfare. The 
Merrimac was a Confederate war vessel, clad in impene¬ 
trable iron and made at Norfolk. It burst out upon the 
Union fleet, sent two of the best ships to the bottom, and 
threatened the entire destruction of the Northern navy. 
During the night, the Monitor, an iron-clad vessel of peculiar 







258 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


construction, arrived from Now York. The two sea-mon¬ 
sters met next morning at close quarters, using lieavier 
guns than had ever before been employed in naval en¬ 
counter. 

For five hours neither produced the slightest effect upon 



FIGHT BETWEEN THE MERr.IMAO AND THE MONITOR. 


the other, till at last the Monitor sent a shot through the 
port-hole of the Merrimac, which returned disabled to 
Noifolk. After this novel sea-fight, the navy department 
gave much attention to the building of monitors. At this 
time, James B. Eads, who afterward built the steel bridge 
across the Mississippi, at St. Louis, and constructed the 
jetties below New Orleans, made and delivered complete 
to the government, all within two months, seven iron-plated 
steamers. They have since been introduced into the navies 
of the world. 

412. In review of the year it was seen that the 
nation had suffered a slaughter without a parallel In the 
New World, but that the fortunes of war were about evenly 
divided, being fav^orable to the Confederate army in the 
East, and the Union army in the West. 


1803. 

413. The most notable event of the war occurred on the 
first of January, when President Lincoln issued one of the 




LINCOLN'S AmriNISTMATION 


259 


most important documents of modern times, The EmciLl- 
cipfitio^i Tvoclanidtion , The war was begun witli 
no design of abolishing slavery. But the sentiment of abo- 
]iti(m had grown very rapidly in the North; and, when it 
became necessary to strike at the labor system of the South 
in order to weaken its military force, the step was taken 
with but little hesitancy or opposition. It was done as a 
military necessity, and not as a reformatory measure. Thus, 
after an existence of two hundred and forty-two years, that 
disturber of American politics, African slavery, became a 
thing of the past. 

414. At the same time, colored tvoops began to be 
enlisted’ to fight in the armies of the Union. It had been 
thought that white troops would object to this movement; 
])ut the former slaves were anxious to strike a blow to 
guarantee their freedom, and on many a field their conduct 
was gallant and their presence acceptable. 

415. In the Easty Burnside, at his own request, was 
relieved of his command, and was succeeded by General 
Joseph Hooker. He advanced to Chancellorsville^ 
where he was met by General Lee, supported by General 
Stonewall Jackson. The battle lasted two days, and resulted 
in a sickening defeat to Hooker. His loss was seventeen 
thousand, nearly twice that of his enemy. The brave and 
skillful Jackson was mortally wounded in the darkness by 
a mistaken volley from his own troops. 

416. Encouraged by his success, Lee resolved on a 
second invasion of the North. He marched rapidly 
into Pennsylvania, followed by Hooker, who, on the eve of 
battle, was superseded by General George G. Meade. The 
two armies, numbering each eighty thousand, met, face to 
face, at the battle of Gettysbnrff. The conflict, the 
greatest of the war and in the history of the country, raged 
during the first three days of July. Victory favored the 
Union army, and Lee retreated southward. The losses 
were fifty-three thousand. 

417 In the West^ Grant followed his enemy south- 




260 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


ward to Vickshtivg* The gunboats were run past the 
batteries lining the bank, and the army passed around to 
the south, crossed the river, and confronted Vicksburg from 
the east. These movements brought on a number of obsti¬ 
nate battles, in all of which Grant was successful. The 
attempts to take the city by storm were repulsed, and the 
army settled down to a siege. The city, commanded by 
General Pemberton, held out a month, and then surren¬ 
dered with twenty-seven thousand prisoners and vast 
quantities of guns, cannon, and military stores. By this 
victory the Union gained more, and the Confederacy lost 
more, than by any previous contest of the war. It opened 
the Mississippi from Cairo to the gulf. 

418. Later in the year. General Rosecrans, with a lar^'e 
Union army, met a severe defeat by the Confederate Gen¬ 
eral Bragg, at Chickamauga^ in Georgia. Bragg had 
been driven from Tennessee, but was now strongly rein¬ 
forced from Virginia. He turned upon his enemy, defeated 
him in a battle in which the losses aggregated forty 
thousand, and drove him into Chattanooga. Here Rose¬ 
crans also was heavily reinforced from Virginia. He yielded 
the command to Grant, and in a series of stubborn "^battles 
about Chattanooga, Bragg was defeated and driven 
further southward. 

419. The callft for troops in the North were fre- ! 

quent. After McClellan’s repulse from Richmond, the ’ 
President called for .300,000 additional troops; and during i 
Lee’s first invasion of the North, he called for 300,000 more, i 
Again, during Lee’s second invasion, 100,000 were de¬ 
manded. All these calls had been promptly responded to 
except the last, which was not fully met. ' 

420. A lieriod of reactiori had set in. The expenses I 

and losses of the war were so vast that a large party in the i 
North clamored for peace on any terms. Voluntary enlist¬ 
ments nearly ceased. Desertions from both armies were 
o( continual occurrence. The bounty paid to soldiers 
induced many to desert and enlist again. At one time 





LINCOLN ADMINISTRATION. 


261 


more than two hundred a day deserted the army of the 
Potomac. It was even worse than this in the Confederate 
army. 

421. In order to fill these vacancies, Congress passed a 
Co7lSCi*iption Act, and President Lincoln ordered a 
general draft of 300,000 men. All able-bodied men between 



THB DRAPTINU WHEEL. 


the ages of twenty and forty-five were subject to military 
duty. The opponents of the war denounced this measure, 
and in several places, especially New York, the draft officers 
were resisted. Only about fifty thousand soldiers were 
obtained by the draft, but enlistments were quickened, and 
the thinned ranks were soon filled. 

1804. 

422. TiCO great movements were planned by 
General Grant, who had now been called to Washington 
and appointed to the command of all the armies, with the 
title of Lieutenant-General. The first of these was to be 
directed against Richmond by the army of the Potomac, led 
by General Grant. The other, under General Sherman, 
was a march through the interior of the Confederacy, from 
the Mississippi to the Atlantic. 

423. In the JEast,^'A\\ a hundred and forty thousand 
men. Grant pushed the operations with vigor, and wrote to 









262 


THE MODEL HXSTOUT. 


President Lincoln, “ I propose to fight it out on this line if 
it takes all summer.” Next day after breaking camp, he 
met the Confederates in the Wilderness. The battle 
lasted three days, with terrible losses, but resulted inde¬ 
cisively. Grant turned to one side to Spottsylvcmia, 
where was fought one of the bloodiest struggles of the war 
He continued southward to Cold Harhor, where he lost 
ten thousand men within half an hour! The Union troops 
were everywhere repulsed, but they would not retreat. 
L hus far the campaign had cost Grant sixty, and Lee thirty- 
five, thousand men. 

424. A chani/e of base brought Grant against the 
defenses of Petersburg, beyond which were those of Rich¬ 
mond. A furious assault was ordered. This was repulsed 
with great slaughter, and Grant resolved upon a siege 
1 his was pressed all fall and winter, conflicts often occurring 
in which each side lost thousands of men. 

425. Meanwhile a third in vasion of the North 
was executed by General Early, in order to compel Grant 
to raise the siege of Petersburg. Overcoming all oppo¬ 
sition, he dashed up within gunshot of M'ashington, and 
then ordered a retreat, loaded with plunder. He was 
followed by a consolidated army, under General Philip H 
Sheridan, and was defeated in three desperate battles.’ 
Ihis was the last northern raid. 


426. Sherman’s “March to the Sea” was intended 
to cut off the supplies and sever the railroad communication 
of the Confederacy. The army consisted of sixty thousand 
men, and marched in two columns, subsisting largely on the 
country Having defeated a large Confederate army under 
General Hood at Atlanta, he met with but little further 
opposition. Sherman thus showed that the Confederacy 
was an empty shell,” the men being drawn from the 
interior to defend the border. 

427. Many Confederate war vessels were fitted 
out in the Shjp-yards of Great Britain to roam over the seas 

quest of the Union commerce. The United States pro- 




LINCOLN'S administration. 


2r)3 

tested against tins action on tlie ])art of England; but these 
remonstrances were not listened to. Here was laid the 
foundation oi a difficulty which afterward cost Great Britain 
hlteen million dollars. The most famous of these cruisers 
was tJte AJ<thania~oY\guvA\\y called “2-00,” because 
two hundred and ninety British merchants furnished money 
to build it. ‘‘In her whole career, invobung the destruction 
of sixty-six vessels and a loss of ten million dollars to the 
merchant service of the United States, she never entered a 
Confederate port, . but continued abroad, capturing and 
burning.” She was finally sunk in an encounter with a 
Union war steamer near the coast of France. 

428. hen election tioies came again, the Repub¬ 
licans re-nominated Lincoln by acclamation. The Demo¬ 
crats named General George B. McClellan. The seceded 
States, of course, took no ])art in the election. Lincoln 
secured the electoral vote of every state but three. 






I 

f 


429. The opeeations of this t/ear were all in the 
P^ast. Grant had become satisfied from observation and 
the march of Sherman that the South was nearly exhausted, 
and that a vigorous stroke would end the war. Sheridan 
joined the commander-in-chief, and destroyed the railroads 
in the rear of Lee, whose situation was now nearly hopeless. 
Grant ordered an assault on Petersburg, and the works 
were carried. Lee dispatched to President Davis, “My 
lines are broken in three places. Richmond must l)e evacu¬ 
ated this evening.” The dispatch was handed to Mr. Davis 
in church. He hastily left the room, and the report spread 
that the city was to be abandoned. The wildest confusion 
ensued. The records of the Confederate government and 
large stores of provisions were sent away after the retreat¬ 
ing army. The next day the Union army entered the city, 
and the Confederacy was without a capital. 

430. The snrrendev of Tee soon followed. He 
made brave efforts to retreat with his army, but he was 






264 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


closely followed by Sheridan. His troops were utterly 
worn out and hemmed in on all sides. An eye-witness 
said: “Hundreds dropped from exhaustion, and thousands 
let their muskets fall from inability to carry them farther.” 
Having done all that human power could do to save the 
falling Confederacy, Lee surrendered his army on terms 
honorable to both the victor and the vanquished. When 
Johnston heard of this event, he knew that further resist¬ 
ance was useless. He opened a correspondence with Sher¬ 
man, and surrendered his army. Thus, after four years of 
slaughter, ruin, and sorrow, the civil war was at an end. 

431. But this work was scarcely done till (f terrible 
event occurred at AVashington. AVhile President Lincoln 
was sitting in a theater with his wife and friends, a desperate, 
and probably insane, actor, named John AA'ilkes Booth, came 
unnoticed into his box, leveled a pistol, and shot the Presi¬ 
dent in the head. The victim died the next morning. The 
assassin lea]:)ed upon the stage, escaped through the dark¬ 
ness, and tied. He was pursued, found concealed in a 
barn, and shot. Almost at the moment of the tragedy in 
the theater, another murderer, named Lewis Payne Powell, 
rushed into the bed-room of Secretary Seward, leaped upoii 
the bed, stabbed him again and again, and escaped into the 
night. He was afterward caught, convicted, and hanged. 

432. The grief of the nation was very marked. 
No President had ever been put to so severe a test, and 
none, since Washington, had so endeared himself to the 
people. His honesty, simplicity, fidelity, and sympathetic 
nature, which never deserted him, had secured his re-election 
by a large majority. In the presence of the difficult ques¬ 
tions yet to be solved, the nation felt it had lost a wise and 
safe guide. This feeling extended even to the late ‘Con- 
federacy. The colored people especially mourned for him 
as for a father. “He went through life bearing the load of 
the people’s sorrows with a smiling face. He was the ' 
guiding mind of the nation while he lived, and, when he I 
died, the little children cried in the streets.” AVlien the i 



LINCOLN'S ADMINISTRATION. 


265 


funeral procession passed l)y railway from Washington to 
his former home at Springfield, every station was crowded 
with mourners and draped with the emblems of grief. 

433. The losses of the uuir were enormous. The 
total number of Union troops called for was 2,942,748. 
The entire number obtained was 2,090,401. The term of 
ser\ ice varied from three months to three years. On the 
Union side it was estimated tliat three hundred thousand 
were killed in battle and died from disease. It is believed 
that four hundred thousand more were crippled and disabled 
for life It would be safe to say that over a million men 
were either killed or disabled, including both sides. 

434. A '}icif iO}l((l iZeht of $2,790,000,000 had accumu¬ 
lated at the end ol the war. This was eighty-eight dollars 
for every man, woman, and child in the United States. In 
order to strengthen the confidence of the bondholders in 
the security of their investments. Congress solemnly 
pledged the nation, with but one dissenting vote, to the 
payment of the entire debt, principal and interest. During 
the last year, the cost of conducting the war, on the Union 
side, was three and a half million dollars a day; and the 
expense during the whole of the last year was more than 

; the entire cost of carrying on the government from the 
' administration of Washington to that of Uincoln. 

At one time two dollars and eighty cents in paper were 
' required to buy one dollar in gold. Near the close of the 
contest, the southern currency became Avorthless, a soldier 
not being able to buy a dinner with a $100 dollar bill. The 
Confederate del)t will probably never be paid, that govern¬ 
ment having been overthrown. 

435. To meet these tremendous demands, several findll- 
cial measures had been adopted by Congress. A tax 
was levied on manufactures, imports, incomes, and salaries, 
and a stamp duty on legal documents. These taxes, far 
heavier than those imposed by England before the Revolu¬ 
tion, were patiently submitted to by the people, and thus 
an annual income of three hundred million dollars was 

12 






266 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


secured. This was sufficient to pay tlie one hundred and 
thirty-three millions of annual interest, defray the current 
expenses of the government, and leave a surplus to reduce 
the national debt. 


United States bonds were issued on the credit of the 
government, redeemable at any time after five and under 
twenty years, and bearing interest in gold, payable semi- 
ai]nually. xsational banks were also leg’alized, by which 
privat(3 persons might issue paper money, using national 
bonds instead of specie as the basis of their circulation. 
The treasury of the United States furnished the currency 
l(j^- this ]3urpose, and guaranteed its redemption. 

436. In its inllitarff features the war presented 
several facts, illustrating the resources of science and the 
inventive faculty of the people. By the improvement in 
small arms a regiment armed with breech-loading muskets 
could make five times as many discharges as one supplied 
with the old-style muzzle-loading guns. Great improve¬ 
ments also were made in ordnance and projectiles. Explosive 
machines, as torpedoes and hand-grenades, came into use. 
Iron-clad vessels have been already mentioned. 

Troo()s were transported from jjlace to place, with all 
their equipments, by railroad, steamboats, and sailing ves¬ 
sels. At one time twenty-three thousand men were taken 
by railway from Virginia to Tennessee, a distance of over 
a thousand miles, in seven days, eating and sleejiing on the 
cars. Balloons were sometimes employed in examining the 
position and defenses of the enemv; and telegraph wires 
were carried to the battle fields, that instant communication \ 
could 1)0 had with the commander-in-chief. | 

437. The politieal results of the war were antici- ' 
pated by very few. Final victory for the Union for a lono 
time seemed doulitful; and, had foreign nations interfered, 
the FederaUarms would probably never have prevailed. 

I lie most important result was the abolition of slaverv. The 
principle was also established that the United States are to 
be regarded as a nation, one and indivisible, and not as a 
mere alliance of sovereign states. 



LiNCOLy 'S abministhatiok. 


26 T 


438. The suffer in f/s resulting from the war were 
terrible and wide-spread. They extended even to Europe. 
The derangements of commerce, and especially the lack of 
cotton, threw thousands of poor English operatives out of 
employment. In this country there were few families that 
did not suffer some bereavement. In both the North and 
the South the devotion and patriotism of the women at 
home equaled the heroism of the soldiers in the field. In 
watching the sick and wounded in the hospital and on the 
field they did much to lessen the hori’ors of war. 

439. S(ni/if(frf/ fftlrs were organized all over the 
country, and fourteen million dollars were raised in cash 
and supplies. In thousands of quiet homes delicate food 
and warm clothing were prepared for the soldiers in the 
field. The Sanitary Commission had its hospital cars on 
the railroads, and hospital cabins on steamers. Its litters, 
wagons, and ambulances were found on the battle fields. 
It provided dinners for regiments on their way to the front, 
took care of the wives and children of destitute soldiers, 
and collected vast stores of provisions. In no previous 
struggle in history had so much been done to relieve the 
miseries attending war; and even in the midst of the dead¬ 
liest conflicts humanity had its victories. 

440. The CJi Visf icin Oowi/iiM's.s/oil/co-operated with 
the Sanitary, and raised four and a half million dollars for 

\ moral and religious work in the army. Bibles were dis¬ 
tributed, tracts were scattered, and Christian teachers visited 
I the camp and the hos})ital. 

441. During the war, two new states were added to 

the Union. West Vlv- 
(jinia, having refused 
to secede, was organized 
into a separate state in 
1803, in order that it 
might have the privi¬ 
leges guaranteed by the 
Constitution. 





268 


THE MODEL HISTOliY 


442. Nevada was acquired by the Mexican conquest, 
but it contained a very small population till the discovery 
of its rich silver mines in 1859. It remained a territorv 


three years, and then 
entered the Union in 
1864 as the thirty-sixth 
state. 



443. The sale of 
puhlie lands had 

been a source of income 
to the government from 


SEAL OP NEVADA. 


the time of Washington. The thirteen colonies claimed the 
great territories lying directly west of them to the Mis¬ 
sissippi; but at the close of the Revolution it was all ceded 
to the general government. At first, not less than four 
thousand acres would be sold at one time. But as this rule 
placed the lands in the hands of speculators, who neither 
produced nor improved, smaller tracts were offered to those 
wishing farms, after 1804. The lands were surveyed onlv 
as they were put in market, being divided into townships 
and sections. The cost of the })ublic domain to the govern¬ 
ment averaged twenty-two cents per acre. 

Previous to 1820, the lands were sold at auction at the 
land-office, at not less than two dollars per acre. After 
that time they were sold at auction at any price above a 
dollar and a quarter, the lots remaining unsold being after¬ 
ward closed out on private sale at that figure. In 1836, the 
receipts from public lands were greater than at any time i 
before or since, amounting to twenty-five million dollars. 
This land fever was caused by the completion of the Erie 
Canal, the use of steamboats on the western rivers, and the 
immigration into the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. It will 
be remembered that this apparent prosperity and rapid ! 
inflation of prices collapsed in the “panic of^’d?.” After | 
this the sale of lands was only such as was demanded by 
the advance of settlements. ' j 

444. Homestead laws date back to the year 1830. | 



JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION. 


269 


The object was to regulate the disposal of public lands to 
actual settlers by giving a pre-emptive right. Previous to 
that year, the government was opposed to the settlement 
of the public domain by non-purchasers; but Mr. Greeley 
took up the idea of “free homes for free people,” and, 
through the columns of his paper, became the leading 
advocate of the pre-emptive principle. The law was 
amended from time to time, till it assumed its present form 
under the presidency of Lincoln. 

The law provided, among other things, that no one could 
acquire public lands without residing upon them as a home 
and making improvements, and that any citizen could take 
a claim of a quarter-section, remain upon it a specified time, 
and then receive a free deed from the government. The 
effect of this provision was to shut out speculators, secure 
homes to the people, and rapidly fill up the territories. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

JOHNSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1865 — 1869. 

445. On the day after the. assassination of Mr, Lincoln, 
the Vice-President, Andrew John- 
SOn^ of Tennessee, became the third 
“ Accidental President.” With no advan¬ 
tages of education in the schools, he was 
entirely a so-called “self-made man.” 
From poverty and neglect he rose through 
successive offices to the Senate of the 
United States. He had opposed secession 
with all his power, and served during the 

war as military governor of Tennessee. He was earnest, 
honest-hearted, and sincerely desired to do his duty. His 
mistakes were probably not due to any wish to serve his own 
interests or those of any party. 

446, The first duty of the President was the disband^ 







270 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


ifig of the army, which consisted of about a million 
men. It was prophesied by foreign nations, and feared by 
many persons at home, that the return of so many men to 
civil life would be attended by serious evils. The quiet 
return of this vast multitude to their old homes and voca¬ 
tions was regarded as a great triumph of law and order, 
and as another proof of the stability of our institutions. 

447. The most important duty of Congress and the 
President was the adaptation of affairs to a state of peace. 
This was called recOilStructio7l» The question was, on 
what terms the southern states should be restored to their 
former position in the government. 

448. The President soon issued a Proclamation of 
Amnesty, granting pardon to all persons, (except certain 
specified classes,) who had engaged in the organization and 
defense of the Confederacy. All persons accepting the 
pardon should take the oath of allegiance to the United 
States. Provisional governors were appointed for the 
southern states, who were instructed to call conventions of 
the people. The states were required to repeal their ordi¬ 
nances of secession, declare the Confederate debt void, and 
vote for a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. 
All this was done, and the Thirteenth Amendment, having 
been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-seven stated 
became a part of the Constitution. 

449. A serious disafjreemcnt unfortunately arose at 
this time between the President and Congress. The former 
held that the ordinances of secession were utterly void; and 
that therefore the so-called seceded states had never been ^ 
out of the Union at all, and were immediately entitled to I 
representation at Washington. Congress admitted that 
secession was void, but argued that, since the South had 
been in a treasonable state for four years, it would be j 
unsafe and unwise to admit it to its former relations under ' 
the government without special legislation and guaran- ] 
tees. 

These conditions were embodied by Congress in the Four- 



JOHNSON ABMINISTBATION. 


271 


teenth Amendment, granting certain civil rights to the 
colored people of the South, revising the southern repre¬ 
sentation in Congress, and affirming the validity of the 
Federal debt and the nullity of the Confederate. The 
contest between Congress and the Executive lasted two 
years, during which time a large number of bills were 
passed, promptly vetoed by the President, and as promptly 
re-passed by a two-thirds vote. The states were finally 
restored in accordance with the views of Congress and the 
provisions of the new amendment. 

450. So far did this quarrel extend that dVticles of 
iHipedChitieilt against the President were, for the first 
time in our history, agreed to by the House of Representa¬ 
tives. After a trial of two months, the President was 
acquitted. His escape was very narrow; a majority of 
two-thirds in the Senate was required for conviction, and 
only one vote was wanting. 

451. During the war, Napoleon III of France interfere’d 
in the dffdivs of Mejcico, and, having sent a French 
army there, succeeded in setting up an empire. He 

' appointed Maximilian of Austria as empero^vho sustained 
his rule by an army of French and iVustrian soldiers. The 
United States protested against this violation of the Monroe 
doctrine, but, being entirely absorbed in the war, could 
enforce nothing. But the Mexican President, Juarez, 
headed a movement against the usurper, and finally, at the 
demands from Washington, Napoleon withdrew his army. 
Maximilian fled, was arrested, tried, and shot. Thus the 
despotic attempt of Na])oleon ended in failure. 

452. The rejoicings of the country over the AtldUtic 
cable in 1858 ended in disappointment. After a short 
time of successful operation, the cable was found to be 
giving out. Heavier and heavier charges were necessary 
in order to carry a message through, till, in a few weeks, 
the line could not be operated at all. The leaders of the 
enterprise were not dismayed by their third failure, but 
continued to experiment during all the time of the war 



272 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


upon every kind of wire, and to advocate the possibility of 
the scheme. 

Mr. Field made fifty voyages across the Atlantic, and 
finally secured enough capital to make and lav another 
cable In the summer of 1865, it was coiled up in the 
Great Eastern, the largest vessel ever built. The steamer 
sailed from Ireland, and had payed out more than twelve 
hundred miles when the cable again broke and was lost 
Six millions of dollars had already been spent in unsuccess¬ 
ful attempts; but, during the summer of 1866, Mr. P'ield 
and his determined associates again, and for the fifth time, 
started a steamer on its way. Permanent success was now 
achieved. 


To make the triumph complete, the Great Eastern sailed 
back to tlie spot where the cable was lost the summer 
before threw out g-rappling-irons, caught the lost line 
brought it to the surface, spliced it, and landed it success- 
fully at Newfoundland. After twelve years of persistent 
labor, Mr. Field received the gratitude and applause of all 
civilized nations. Since that time, several lines have been 
laid, and the Old World and the New are in constant com- 
munication. The apparatus used is exceedingly delicate, 
and the iierfection ot the cable is shown liy the fact that 
the electricity generated in a gun-cap is sufficient to send a 
message across the Atlantic. 

of AJftsJta, the 

United States acquired, for the first time in its historv 
territory not lying on its border. That country had bee“ii 
explored by a party of scientific men, with a view of estab- 
hshing communication by telegraph with Asia liy wav of 
Behring Strait. Their report showed that its coast fish^-ies 
were of great value, and that its forests of white pine and 
yellow cedar were among the finest in the world. The pro¬ 
posal to purchase the peninsula met with much opposition 

United Styes on the payment of seven inillion two hundred 
thousand dollars. The territory was larger than the original 



JOIIXSOy\S ADMlXTSmATTOX. 


273 



thirteen states, and contained a population of twenty-nine 
thousand. 

454. During this presidency, the territories of the 
United States were reduced in size, increased in number, 
and made to assume a form in ])reparation for their early 
admission as states. Dakota was cut olf from Nebraska, 
and Arizona from New Mexico. The others were organized 
under the names Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, 

Utah, and Washing¬ 
ton. The Ijidian Ter¬ 
ritory and Alaska 
have not yet been 
organized into terri¬ 
torial governments. In 
1867, Nebraskii was 
admitted as a state. 


SEAL OF NEBRASKA. 


455. In 1868, Congress ratified a trefftff ivit/i the 
North German Co}kfe(Jeration^ by which the right 
of German emigrants to sever their allegiance to their native 
country and to become citizens of the United States, was 
allowed. 

456. During the same year, an embassy from 
GJii/'iVlt-f headed l)y Anson 13urling*ame, formerly the 
American minister to that country, visited the ‘ United 
States. A treaty was ratified by which liberty of con¬ 
science, protection of property, and important commercial 
privileges were mutually secured. This was the first time 
that exclusive nation had ever sought a treatv with foreio-n 
countries. 

457. When the presidential ejection came again, 
the contest was still found to be between the Republican 
and the Democratic parties. The former nominated Gen¬ 
eral Ulysses S. Grant, and the latter, Horatio Seymour, of 
New York. The campaign was attended with much excite¬ 
ment; but there was no prominent issue before the people. 
Both parties accepted the results of the war, and affirmed 
the validity of the late amendments. The questions most 

12 * 





274 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


discussed were those arising out of the war. Thus politics 
looked back to the past instead of forward to the future. 
The result was the election of General Grant as President, 
and Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, as Vice-President. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1869 — 1877. 

458. The ifietv Executive eighteenth President, 
had received a military education, and served with dis¬ 
tinction in the Mexican war. His national 
reputation was won by his campaign in 
the West, beginning with the capture of 
Forts Henry and Donelson. He rose 
rapidly in rank, till he became com¬ 
mander-in-chief of the Union army. 

459. Soon after his inauguration, the 
Edeifie EciilTOCld^ was completed. 
This great enterprise had been agitated 
since the discovery of gold in California. But the work 
was not undertaken till 1863. To a company of capitalists 
Congress voted large amounts of land adjoining the pro¬ 
posed road, as Whitney and Degrand asked to have done 
years before. The land grant included the alternate sections i 
for ten and twenty miles on each side of the track. Beside 
this. Congress guaranteed the payment of a large amount 
of bonds to be issued by the company. California had now 
grown into a wealthy state, and she lent her energy to the 
achievement. 

The first division of the road extended from Council 
Bluffs, Iowa, to Ogden, in Utah, a distance of 1,032 miles. 
This was called the Union Pacific Railroad. The other 
division, called the Central Pacific Railroad, extended from 
San Francisco to Ogden, a distance of 882 miles. The 
work went on at both ends at the same time, and on May , 
10, 1869, two engines slowly steamed till they touched each ' 





GliANT'S ADMrNrSTEATION. 


275 


other in front, and the engineers from the East and the West 
shook liands across the narrow line of separation. The last 
rail was laid, and the last sj^ike driven, with appropriate 
ceremonies, from Europe to America in nine days; from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific in five more; and across the 
Pacific to China in twenty more,— thus was realized the 
ambitious scheme of the fifteenth century, a short route to 
the Indies. 

4(i0. The work of reconstruction was completed in 1870 
by the adoption of the l^ifteentli Amendment to the 
Constitution. It declared that the right of suffrage shall 
not be withheld from any citizen of the United States “on 
account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” 
Thus the ballot was conferred upon the emancipated black 
men of the South and the free colored men of the North. 
Texas was the last state to signify its acceptance of the 
amended Constitution, and to take its place in the recon¬ 
structed Union. 

401. The ninth censnSf taken in 1870, showed a 
wonderful growth and progress, notwithstanding the ravages 
and waste of war. Since the last enrnneration, the popula¬ 
tion had increased from thirty-one millions to thirty-eight 
millions (38,558,371). Since the days of Washington, the 
country had doubled its population about every twenty-five 
years. The expenses of managing the government doubled 
about every sixteen years. At the end of the second year 
of Grant’s administraiion, $204,000,000 of the national 
debt had been paid, and the price of gold had fallen to 110. 
Manufacturing had nearly doubled since 1860. The South 
was rapidly adjusting its industry on a basis of free labor, 
and the effects of the war were fast passing a^vay. 

462. The ratio of representation m Congress has 
been changed frequently. As the population of the country 
has increased, it has required more and more people to be 
entitled to a representative. By this means the House of 
Representatives has been kept within reasonable size. In 
1872, Congress ordered that thenceforth the House should 


I 




276 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


I 


not be composed of more than 292 members. On the basis | 
of the ninth census, the number of people entitled to a 
representative was fixed at 135,239. Without a special 
order of Congress no territory can be admitted as a state 
with a less population than this. 

463. This administration was signalized by the settle¬ 


ment of the Alabama claims — a difficult and threaten¬ 
ing question. The injury done during the war to American 
commerce by Confederate privateers, built and equipped in 
British ports, had been very great. These cruisers had 
been sent out without any attempt to conceal their purpose, 
and with no efforts on the part of the British government to 
restrain them. The repeated remonstrance of the Secretary 
of State against this violation of the laws of nations had 
been almost unheeded; but, after the war, both parties 
became anxious for a settlement. 

A high commission, composed of five British and five 
American statesmen, met at Washington, and, after much 
discussion, bound their respective countries to submit all 
the claims of either nation against the other to a board of i 
aibitration, composed of five members, to be appointed by 
the kings and rulers of friendly nations. This court of i 
arbitration met at Geneva, Switzerland, gave the two W 
nations a full and impartial hearing, and rendered an I 
award of damages to the United States for fifteen and a r 
half million dollars. This sum was paid by Great Britain i 
the next year. This result was very encouraging to those I 
who hope that the bloody and expensive methods of war fj 
will gradually go out of use, and that the disputes of nations, I! 
as well as those of individuals, will be settled by the courts. ] 
3 his arbitration was the most important triumph of the J 
principles of the apostle of peace, William Ladd. 


464. In 1871, a great calamity visited the country in the 
btirnhu/ of Ch icatjo, It broke out one evening in a 
stable on De Koven Street, and was caused by a cow’s 
knocking over a kerosene lamp. It soon spread, driven by 
a high wind, to the neighboring lumber yards and wooden 


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Scale: One iiicli and one-half to the mile. | 


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ghan-t^s administhation. 


277 


buildings. The flames leaped the Chicago River, and swept 
on through the business part of the city. It raged with 
unabated fury for two days, and died out only^vhen it 
reached Lake Micliigan and Lincoln Park, "phe area 
binned ovei was two thousand one hundred acres, or three 
aiul a third square miles. xVbout two hundred and fifty 
lives were lost, and the property destroyed amounted to 
two hundred million dollars. Ninety-eight thousand people 
were rendered homeless. “In the extent of the district 
burned over, the Chicago fire stands first; in the amount of 
property destroyed, second; and in the suffering occasioned, 
third, among the great conflagrations of the world.” 

465. Almost at the same time with the burning of 
Chicago, extensive forest pres burst out in the pine 
woods of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Manv 
entire villages were consumed, and the flames out-traveled 
the fleetest horse. Fifteen hundred people perished in 
Wisconsin alone. 

466. A year afterward, another misfortune came in the 
1^0St07l pre. It raged for thirty-six hours, and laid 
many of the finest blocks in the country in ashes. Fifteen 
lives were lost, sixty-five acres were burned over, and 
property to the value of eighty millions was consumed. 
The losses of these conflagrations fell upon the entire 
people by depressing business and largely advancing the 
rates of insurance. 

467. In 1872, Congress, by a two-thirds vote, removed 
the politieaJ disahitities imposed by the third section 
of the Fourteenth Amendment. The only exceptions were 
members of Congress, officers in the army and navy, cabinet 
officers, and foreign ministers, who had resigned and joined 
the Confederacy. One hundred and fifty thousand men of 
capacity and experience were thus restored to political life. 

468. The issues entering into the president tat ean- 
rflSS at the close of Grant’s first term, grew out of recon¬ 
struction as completed by Congress. Some of these 
measures had been received with great disapproval in the 



278 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


South. The bestowal of the complete rights of citizenship 
upon the colored race, excited there the greatest alarm and 
indignation. A state of violence and lawlessness was thus 
inaugurated, and the issues of the war were often re¬ 
discussed with much bitterness. There was but little 
dilference between the platforms of principles adopted by 
the opposing parties, and the canvass, which was exciting 
and sharp, was really a struggle for place and power. 

469. The CdHHidcttes were well-known men. The 



Republicans re-nominated General Grant for the first, and 
Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, for the second, place on 

their ticket. The Democrats 
and Liberal Republicans nom¬ 
inated Horace Greeley, editor 
of the New York Tribune. For 
thirty years he had been one 
of the foremost men and the 
brightest light of journalism in 
the country. He liad long been 
a leader of public ojDinion, 
having discussed daily, with 
great ability and enthusiasm, 
almost every subject of interest 
HORACE GREELEY. to the people. He was one of 

the truly great men of America. The result of the campaign 
was the re-election of Grant by a large majority. Mr. 
Greeley died three weeks afterward, broken down bylabor, 
political disappointment, and domestic bereavement. 


470. Near the beginning of Grant’s second term, public 
attention %vas directed to the CredU MohiUer in- 
vestifjatioit in Congress. The Credit Mobilier was a 
joint-stock company, chartered to advance the construction 
of iiublic works. With a capital of nearly four millions it 
undertook the construction of the Pacific Railroad. Its 
business was so managed as to be very profitable, and the 
stock rose rapidly in value, the stockholders receiving 
enormous dividends. It so happened that a law-suit in 




GMANT^S ABMINISTBATION. 


279 


Pennsylvania revealed the fact that a large amount of the 
stock was owned by members of Congress. A suspicion 
was at once aroused that members had used their votes for 
selfish purposes in the subsidies and special privileges 
granted to the railroad. An investigation was demanded, 
in the course of which many scandalous transactions were 
revealed and several fair reputations tarnished. 

471. In the fall of 1873, a disastrous moviey panAc 
occurred. The great banking house of Jay Cooke & Co., 
of Philadelphia, failed suddenly. Other important failures 
occurred in quick succession. Depositors hurried to the 
banks all over the land and withdrew their money. The 
national currency was sent home for redemption. The result 
was that a large percentage of the banks temporarily sus¬ 
pended payment. Mercantile houses and manufacturing 
companies, not being able to meet the sudden demands of 
their creditors, were forced into suspension or bankruptcy. 

It was now seen that both public and private expendi¬ 
tures had been extravagant, and that the apparent prosperity 
of business had been largely fictitious. Public confidence 
was shaken. Months elapsed before this was restored, and 
for years afterward business languished, manufactures fell 
off, and the value of nearly everything gradually receded. 
The main causes of the panic were speculation in railroad 
stocks, construction of unprofitable railroads in new and 
unsettled parts of the country, and the scarcity of money 
caused by the contraction of the national currency from 
seven hundred million dollars in 1865 to only half that 
sum in 1873. 

472. During these eight years, the country was fre¬ 
quently called upon to record the loss of public men 
by death. Among these may be mentioned Edwin M. 
Stanton, Secretary of War under President Lincoln, and 
afterward .Judge of the Supreme Court of the United 
States; General Robert E. Lee, who had served since the 
war as president of Washington and Lee University, in 
Virginia ; William H. Seward, Secretary of State under 




280 


THE MODEL HI8T0UT. 


President Lincoln, and one of the ablest statesmen of the 
century ; Professor S. F. B. Morse, the honored inventor of 
the magnetic telegraph; Horace Greeley, our greatest jour¬ 
nalist ; General George G. Meade, the commander at 
Gettysburg; Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury 

under President Lincoln, the 
author of our “greenbacks,” 
and afterward Chief Justice of 
the United States; Andrew 
Johnson, the last ex-President; 
Henry Wilson,Vice-President; 
Louis Agassiz, our greatest 
teacher of science; and Charles 
Sumner, Senator from Massa¬ 
chusetts. He was the successor 
of l^aniel Webster in the 
Senate, and had served con¬ 
tinuously for twenty-four years. 
He was a leader, not a follower, of public opinion, speaking 
often and powerfully on all questions affecting the welfare 
of the nation. He read the future clearly, and he lived to 
see every one of his chief measures adopted, except the one 
that was enlisting his powers of argument at the time of 
his last illness. 

473. In 1874, an order, called the JPatrons of Hus¬ 
bandry , extended widely over the country. All persons 
engaged in agriculture were eligible to membership. The 
objects were, to cultivate mutual acquaintance, to secure 
prosperity to the farmers by selling their products directly 
to the consumer and buying their goods directly from the 
producer, to oppose all monopolies and corporations that 
oppress the people, to strengthen the attachment to rural 
life, to discontinue the credit and mortgage systems, and 
to insist on purity in the management of public affairs. In 
18G8, there were but ten Granges in the United States. 
Six years afterward, they had increased to twenty thousand 
Granges, with a membership of a million and a half, secur- 





281 


GMAST 'S ADMINISTRATION. 

mg a saving to the members of twenty million dollars 
yearly. 

474. Early in the same year, a similar order, called the 
Sovereigns of Imlnstrg , was formed to secure to all 
industrial classes the same benefits the Grange was intended 
to secure to the farmer. This order flourished mostly in the 
East, as the Grangers in the West. The problems which 
these orders have tried to solve are among the most impor¬ 
tant of the age. Some of them are rapidly claiming the 
attention of political parties, and appearing in Congress 
and in state legislatures. 

475. The SUpial Service Bureau, in charge of 
General J. Meyer, was established by Congress in 1870, 
to make careful observations upon the temperature and 
moisture of the air, the rise and fall of rivers, and the 
direction and velocity of the wind. By this means the 
approach of storms and floods is announced hours, and 
sometimes days, before they reach distant localities. Thus 
time IS gained for the protection of property and life. The 
probabilities of the weather for the various sections of the 
United States are daily published, and ninety per cent, of 
these predictions have been verified. 

Stations for observation are established at about one 
hundred and forty places in the United States, and also at 
Behring Strait, Hudson Bay, Greenland, Labrador, Iceland, 
Norway, Russia, Italy, India, West Indies, South America’ 

— around the globe! At all of the stations in the United 
States observations are taken at the same moment of time 

— corresponding to 7:35 A.M. at Washington. Great 
benefits have already resulted to river, lake, and marine 
commerce, and to agriculture, from the bureau, whose use¬ 
fulness has probably only just begun. 

476. A new Indian policy was adopted by the 
President at this time. The plan was to educate and civil¬ 
ize the Indians, not merely to punish them for their crimes. 
This humane scheme included schools, model farms, and 
instruction in the trades and the manners of civilized life. 



282 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


The President was led to the adoption of this policy from 
the consideration that “the actual treatment of the Indians 
has been unjust and iniquitous beyond the power of words 
to express,” and that, “as ascertained from government 
statistics since 1820, the policy of war had cost, for each 
Indian killed, the lives of twenty white men and half a 
million dollars.” 

Though the restless nature of the race was very apparent, 
the war-path was not so often trod, nor plundering raids so 
frequent. Thousands were settled on farms of their own, 
surrounded with domestic animals and many of the comforts 
of life. From the earliest times the race has been decreas¬ 
ing in numbers. The causes have been, a hopeless struggle 
with white men, the exposure incident to their mode of life, 
and their own vices made fatal by their adoption of those 
of their white neighbors. There \vere in 1870 about three 
hundred and eighty thousand Indians in the United States. 
They will finally either disappear altogether, or adopt the 
customs of civilized life. 

477. In 1875, Congress passed the Specie ^esiimp- 
tiOH Act, providing that after January 1, 1879, the legal- 
tender notes should be redeemed, on presentation, in coin. 
In the mean time silver was to take the place of fractional 
currency. This law was much discussed by the people, 
being greatly praised in the East and criticised in the West. 
Its effect was to raise the value of United States bonds and 
lower the premium on gold. 

478. In the same year, Colovado was admitted into the 

Union as the thirty- 
eighth state. The 
healthfulness of its 
climate had made it 
a favorite resort for 
invalids; and its rich 

SKAL OF coLOHADo. mineral de]msits had 

made mining the chief occupation of its people. 

479. As the year 187G drew near, the nation made 






GRANT ADMINISTRATION. 


283 


preparation to celebrate the American Centennial 
in an appropriate manner. Philadelpliia was naturally 
selected as the place, it being the original seat of gov’ern- 
nient. 1 he celebration took the shape of an international 
exhibition, or world’s fair. Many spacious buildings were 
erected, the grounds elegantly laid off, and the exhibition 
opened with appropriate ceremonies on May 10, 187G. It 
continued for six months. The products, industries, and 
achievements of nearly all civilized nations,— the new 
thoughts of the new age,— were represented there. “It 
was the first congress of the democracy of the world to 
which all mankind had been invited.” 

480. During the whole of Grant’s term of office, the 
country was agitated by political troahles in the 
South, The rivalry between the parties — those favoring 
the neAv order of things and those ])referring the old — 
was exceedingly bitter and not always bloodless. Secret 
orders of a treasonable nature, called Ku-Klux and White 
Leaguers, carried on the work of proscription and assassin¬ 
ation. Armed conflicts between the whites and the blacks 
were very frequent, and always resulted in the slaughter 
of the negroes. The assassination of unarmed colored men 
was not uncommon. In several states two rival governors 
and legislatures claimed to be elected, and proceeded to 
support their claims by violence and intrigue. On such 
occasions, when asked by the governor interested, troops 
were sent into the riotous district until quiet could be 
restored. 

481. When the time came for another presidential can¬ 
vass, the attitude of parties was nearly the same as 
four years before There was no great issue before the 
people. Politics still looked backward instead of forward. 
The Republicans argued that the record of the Democratic 
party for the last forty years showed it to be unfit to con¬ 
trol the affairs of the nation. The Democrats had much to 
say about the extravagance and corruption of the Republican 
party, and the necessity of reform and economy in public 



284 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


expenditures. Both parties accepted the amended Consti¬ 
tution. It was a struggle for the preferments of office and 
the patronage of the government. 

482. There was no lack of candidates* The Repub¬ 
licans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, and the 
Democrats, Samuel J. Tilden, of New York, both being the 
governors of their respective states. Two other parties 
made their appearance for the first time. The Greenback 
party nominated Peter Cooper, of New York, and made 
opposition to the Resumption Act its distinctive principle. 
The Prohibition party nominated General Green Clay 
Smith, of Kentucky, and advocated, among other things, 
the adoption of a constitutional amendment prohibiting the 
sale of alcoholic liquors as a beverage. 

483. The election was the most peculiar ever held 
in the country. Neither Smith nor Cooper received a 
single electoral vote. The contest between Hayes and 
Tilden was so close in several of the states that the true 
condition of the vote was difficult to determine. The 
Republicans hastened to charge the Democrats with intimi¬ 
dating the colored Republican voters in the South. The 
Democrats charged the Republicans with illegal voting and 
making fraudulent returns. Boards of canvassers were sent 
to the doubtful states to ascertain the facts and to take 
testimony from competent witnesses. 

The matter excited tlie greatest apprehension throughout 
the nation, till it was finally settled by peaceful arbitration. 
Fifteen judges were chosen —five from the House, five from 
the Senate, and five from the Supreme Court — to decide 
the question, both parties being pledged to abide by their 
verdict. The result was, 185 electoral votes were counted 
for Hayes, and 184 for Tilden. On March 5, 1877, R. B. 
Hayes was peacefully inaugurated President, and William 
A. Wheeler, of New^ York, Vice-President. 




BATESES ADMiNISTliATlON. 


285 


CHAPTER XIX. 

HAYES'S ADMIJYlSritATION. 

1877 

484. The tiew Tvesideilt bad served with distinc¬ 
tion as an officer in the Enion army 
during the Rebellion. He had been 
twice elected Governor of Ohio, after 
the most detei-mined opposition. In 
his letter accepting the nomination 
for the presidency he expressed the 
determination, if elected, to do all in 
his power to restore quiet to the 
South and business prosperitv to 
the entire country. His inaugural 
address outlined the policy of his 
administration, and gave general 

RUTHEHFOKD B. HAYES. satisfaCtioil. 

485. He was immediately confronted with the question 
of the removal of the troops that had been sent to 
keep the peace in the South. Many people in the North 
thought it would not be safe or prudent to do so. Being 
assured that there would be no disturbance, the President 
relieved the soldiers from their police duties. This course 
was widely disapproved in the North. 

486. The President went into office pledged by the 
Republican party to elvil-sevvlee reform. For many 
years it had been the custom to appoint such officials as 
were recommended by the members of Congress from that 
state where the officer was to be stationed. Great abuses 
had grown up under this system, as it had become the 
custom to recommend persons for appointment as a reward 
for party services or as a return for personal obligations. 
Too often the fitness of the applicant was disregarded. 
The President gave much attention to the correction of 
these abuses. He made but few dismissals, and did not 
specially consult supposed party interests. His course in 





286 


THE MODEL HTSTORY. 


this matter excited much discussion and disapproval, 
especially among the members of the Repu])]ican party. 

4S7. The month of July, 1877, is made memorable by 
The train hands on the Raltimore & 
Ohio Railroad at Martinsburg, struck for higher wag'es. 
Instead of being a respectful demand for what they wished, 
it rapidly developed into rebellion against the state itself. 
The strikers swarmed upon the trains with revolvers, and 
engaged even with the state troops in armed conflicts. Soon 
the strike extended the whole length of the road, whose 
business was entirely suspended. The next day the insur¬ 
rection spread to other roads and states. The mobs seized 
the railroad property, forbade the dejDarture of all trains, 
and resisted both the local authorities and the troops of the 
United States. 

At Pittsburg the mob destroyed a hundred locomotives, 
and burned miles of freight cars, the depots, and round¬ 
houses. In many other places the lawlessness was nearlv 
as great. In less than a week the bloody and defiant spirit 
of riot extended to the West and even to California. For 
the time the rioters suspended all business on the leading 
lailroads throughout the Union. The entire nation seemed 
to be under mob law. Conflicts between the troojis and the 
mob occurred in many cities; much blood was shed and 
vast amounts of property destroyed. Gradually the police 
and troops routed the rioters; order was re-established, and 
the roads ;:esumed their business. The great insurrection 
lasted twelve days. It was commonly called the railroad 
strike, and was the first riotous illustration in American 
history of the supposed conflict between labor and capital. 

488. As soon as Congress met, the currency question 
assumed fresh importance; and bills for fJte vemone- 
tlTmtion of silver were introduced. Since 1873, silver 
had not been coined very largely, and was not legal tender 
for the payment of public or private debts in sums of over 
five dollars. The bill provided for increased coinage of 
silver and its restoration as legal tender. After much dis- 




HAYESES ADMINISTRATION. 


287 


cussion the measure passed Congress. It was promptly 
vetoed by the President, and quickly re-passed by more 
than a tw(j-thirds vote in both Houses. Veto was only vote 
with the letters differently arranged. The mints immedi¬ 
ately began to coin and send out silver money 

489. At the close of the first century of national history, 
the center of oar territory is situated in Osborne 
County, Kansas, two hundred miles west of Topeka. 

490. The center of j^opulation has been moving 
nearly westward since the Revolution at an average velocitv 
ol seventy-five feet a day, and now rests at Loveland, Cler¬ 
mont County, Ohio, twenty miles northeast of Cincinnati. 

491. During the present generation, agriculture has 
made great advances under the influence of improved 
machinery, agricultural societies, fairs, field chemistry, and 
farm journals. In 1870, the yield of Indian corn, the 
greatest cereal product of the country, amounted to nearly 
a thousand million bushels. The amount of cotton aggre¬ 
gated fifteen hundred million pounds. Farming prevails in 
the West and manufacturing in the East. The number of 
cotton mills is over nine hundred, and New England pro¬ 
duces enough calico to supply the whole country. On the 
other hand, Minnesota produces enough wheat in one year 
to feed her own people four years; Ohio, to supply hers one 
year; New York, six months; Massachusetts, one day; and 
Rhode Island, enough for breakfast but not enough for 
dinner ! 

492. The power of the press seems to be constantly 
increasing. To the genius of an American, Richard M. 
Hoe, the world is indebted for the type-revolving press, by 
which thirty thousand copies may be struck off in an hour. 
It is the age of the newspaper. Directed by the abilities 
and energy of such journalists as William Cullen Bryant, 
of the Evenmg Post., Horace Greeley, of the Tribune., and 
James Gordon Bennett, Sr., of the Herald., the newspaper 
has become a great power for good or evil. In 1870, the 





288 


TEE MODEL HISTORY. 


number of periodicals was nearly six thousand. Eleven of 
these print over a hundred thousand copies each issue, and 
the total regular circulation is over twenty-eight million 
copies. The number of books published averages about 
three thousand a year. 

493. In recent years piihlic libraries have become 

very numerous in towns and cities. These are extensively 
read, and have great influence in directing the thought of 
tlie people. One American library —the Congressional, at 
Washington —contains over 300,000 volumes; while the 
Boston Public Library and that of Harvard College number 
over 200,000. each; and at least ten others contain fifty 
thousand each. The contents of these libraries aggregate 
forty -five million volumes. ? 

494. The ivork of education has gone rapidly 
forward. The common-school system, which at first met 
with strong opposition in some localities, has become a 
great favorite with the people, single states, as Ohio, spend- 
ifig ten million dollars annually to educate the children. 
Seven million pupils attend these free schools, and are 
taught by two hundred thousand teachers. The system is 
in use in every state, and is rapidly gaining popularity in 
the South. Eleven of the states have adopted compulsory 

education. Higher education is 
furnished by about twenty-five 
hundred colleges, academies, pro¬ 
fessional and scientific schools, 
attended by two hundred and 
fifty thousand pupils, some of 
them being supported by public 
funds, and others by private and 
denominational patronage. Peo¬ 
ple see that ignorant suffrage is 
one of the greatest dangers of 
the republic. In all nations the 
sovereign is carefully educated. 
In this country every voter is a sovereio’n. 



WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT, 






HATES'S ADMINrSTEATIOE. 


289 




495. Jn much has been accomplished. Wil¬ 

liam Cullen Bryant, when a boy of eighteen, wrote Than- 
atopsis, the first poetry, written by a native of America, 
that the world acknowledged to be poetry. He was fol¬ 
lowed by a troop of reputable writers, including Drake, 
Halleck, I oe, illis, A hittier, Lowell, Longfellow. Charles 
Brockdeii Brown, the first American novelist, was followed 

by James Fenimore Cooper 
and Nathaniel Hawthorne. As 
historians. Sparks, Bancroft, 
Hildreth, Lossing, * Prescott, 
Motley, and Irving are honored 
names. 

40G. In the /iiie arts 
America can not compare 
favorably with older countries. 
Our paintings and statuary 
have not won such applause 
from the world as has been ac¬ 
corded to our sewing machines, 
HEXRV WADSWORTH Lo^fGFELLow. piaiios, aiid farming imple¬ 
ments. \et much has been done. The names of West, 
Copley, and Page, in painting, and Powers, Story, and 
Harriet Hosmer, in sculpture, have 
secured great and perhaps lasting 
reputation. 

497. Our country has achieved its 
greatest results in material pro- 
(n *€SS, American sewing machines, 
pianos, agricidtural implements, and 
locomotives have received the highest 
awards of Europe. The American 
Bank Note Company, of New York, 
prints the paper money of Italy and 
Tui-key. Steam fire-engines of Ameri¬ 
can manufacture are used in the Euro¬ 
pean capitals, and the Pulman palace cars are becoming 
Td 









290 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


favorites on European railroads. Machines of x4mericar 
patents print English nevvsj)apers and reap the English 
harvests. The European goes to work by a Connecticut 
clock, and is warmed by an Albany stove. 

498. Since the war, the of velUfion has been 

advancing with increasing success. Next to the Roman 
Catholics, the Methodists are the most numerous denomina¬ 
tion. There are (35,000 churches in the country, and they 
can seat twenty-five million people. There is one evan¬ 
gelical minister to every 791 persons. The church property 
is valued at $350,000,000, and $50,000,000 are paid every 
year lor local church interests. 

^ 499. The end of our first hundred years is a suitable 
time to review the predictions of foreign states¬ 
men. No sooner was the Declaration of Independence 
passed than they ventured to j)redict five things: I. That 
the United States would he involved in ruinous foreign 
ua'ts. M e have had but two foreign wars since the Revo¬ 
lution, and emerged safely from both. In the same period 
England has had seven, France ten, Prussia six, Russia ten, 
Austria five,^ and Italy six; and, exce])t England, every one j 
of these nations has been beaten in some of its conflicts, j 

II. That the republic %voidd he torn asunder hy internal 
quarrels. During the entire century we have had but one ■! 
serious internal disturbance— the Rebellion. During the 1 
same time England has had two insurrections, Prussia one, 
Austria two, and Russia one. France has had seven revo¬ 
lutions, and Italy and Sj)ain ten or a dozen each. 

III. That the republic woidd he succeeded hy monarchy,. 
This has not yet come to pass. But during the last centurv 
France has not been able to maintain any one system of ' 
government twenty-five consecutive years. The sovereigns 
of Austria, Spain, and Greece have been forced to vacate 
their thrones. The monarch of France has been seven 
times compelled to leave his seat. Even Prussia has been 
obliged to change her form of government from an absolute 
to a constitutional monarchy. 




HAYESES ADMINISTRATION 


291 


1 IV* That the confederation of states icould he broken up. 
I This has not proved true. But Germany has witnessed the 

- destruction of the German Confederation. England has 
lost some of her colonies, and Austria, her provinces. France 

1 has lost her possessions in Holland, in Belgium, and on 
the Rhine. Italy changed from a few to many individual 
states, and then to a united kingdom. 

V. That the republic icoidd be robbed of its territory by 
strong military p)Oicers. Our territory has rapidly increased, 

- and we have never, at any time, parted with a single square 
’ foot of land belonging to the nation. During the same time 

there is not a single European state that has not lost a nart 
1 of its territory. 

' 500. The past has already indicated the futlive issues 

\ that will agitate the public rnind. These are questions of 
: importance,— civil service reform, the currency, the tariff 
;j question, the Bible in the public schools, compulsory edu- 
i cation, woman suffrage, foreign — and especially Chinese 
— immigration, cheap transportation and the regulation of 
railroads, the rights of labor and capital, secret societies, 
temperance, and religion. AVhat shape these questions will 
assume, or which will be most prominent, it is impossible to 
foresee. 

501. Our country claims and needs the love and 
service of all. Compared with the nations of Europe, it is 
in its infancy. There kingdoms have been growing more 
than a thousand years, while our republic has reached only 
the end of its first century. They celebrate their Millenium, 
and we our Centennial. Without vain boasting, we may 
congratulate ourselves on the solidity and rapidity of our 
growth. The world has never before produced a republic 
of such size, and many a democracy has been shattered in 
less than a century. Our success has been attained in spite 
of the political contradiction in proclaiming freedom in 
theory, and yet cherishing slavery in practice; in spite of 
the annual arrival of thousands of immigrants, without a 
just apprehension of republican principles or institutions; 





292 


THE MODEL III STORY. 


in spite of violent political and partisan turmoils every four 
years; and in spite of sectional discontent upheaving into 
attempted revolution. To guard against domestic, even 
more than foreign, dangers; to educate the people in cor¬ 
rect living and the high duties of citizenship; to lead pure 
lives and cultivate noble purposes,— these are the essential 
duties of every A'merican, “that the republic may receive 
no detriment,” that the nation may rise in true majesty, 
and that democratic government may not disappear from 
the earth. 


R E VIE W. 

CHAPTER I. 

The idea of independence, a slow growth.— R. H. Lee introduces 
an important resolution.— A formal Declaration of Independence is 
drafted.—And passed.—It is received with enthusiasm by the Whigs, 
with alarm by the Tories, and with anger by King George.—The 
British evacuate Boston.—Washington is badly beaten on Long Island. 

— But makes a successful dash at Princeton and Trenton.— Stark 
wins a victory at Benington.—And Gates at Stillwater.—Washington 
loses one at Brandywine.—And another at Germantown.—England 
ofiers pardon.— Lafayette lends timely aid.— The army spends a * 
winter of suffering at Valley Forge.—The Conway Cabal is defeated. 

— Articles of Confederation proposed and finally adopted.—A flag is 
adopted. — Franklin wins a great victory at Paris.— England proposes 1 
peace. Howe is superseded by Clinton.—Washington wins the battle 
of Monmouth.—Butler desolates the colony of Wyoming. —Paul 
Jones makes the navy famous.—Sketch of finance.—Charleston is 
surrendered to the British.— Gates is severely beaten at Camden.— 
Arnold plots his treason.—A mutiny breaks out at jMorristown.—But 

is quieted by Congress.— Seven thousand men arrive from France._ 

Greene supersedes Gates.— He fights at Cowpens and Guilford Court- ; 
House.—Washington takes Cornwallis.—Which ends the war.—The 
provisions of the treaty.—The army is disbanded.—And Washington 
retires to Mount Vernon. * 

CHAPTER II. 

Defects of the Confederation stated.— The convention of revision 
decides to make anew Constitution.— The slavery question first enters 
politics.—And the Federalists and the Republicans arise.—Sketch 




REVIEW. 293 

of the legislative power. — Of the executive power.—Of the judicial. 
—Washington is chosen President. 

CHAPTER III. 

A\ ashingtou becomes President.— Eleven constitutional amend¬ 
ments are adopted.— A revenue is raised by import duties.— Public 
credit was also improved by the IS’ational Bank.—Congress resolves 
to remove to the Potomac.— The first census taken in 1790.— Citizen 
Genet makes trouble in America.— But is sent home.— The President 
quells the whisky insurrection.-And gives attention to the growing 
trouble with England.—'V ermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee join the 
United States.—AYashington’s policy is maliciously assailed.—Con- 
giess makes provision for public education.— AVhitney invents the 
cotton gin.— Description of His Excellency’s dress and receptions.— 
Styles of dress in fasliionable life.— In common life.—Washington 
declines re-election, and delivers his farewell address. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Sketch of Adams’s career.— A weak spot found in the Constitution. 

— The French difficulty again becomes serious.— But v^ar is averted 
by a change at Paris.— The country mourns for AYashington.— The 
life of the western pioneer.— The second census.— Manners of society 
outlined.— Four things destroy Adams’s chances of re-election.— 
The Twelfth Amendment adopted. 

CHAPTER V. 

Sketch of Jefferson.— He begins by reform.— He purchases Louisi¬ 
ana.—And sends a party to explore it.—AYar arises with Tripoli.— 
Troubles with England assume fresh prominence.—Right of search 
and tenure of allegiance explained.— The Chesapeake surrenders to 
the Leopard.—Aleasures of retalliation.—Burr shoots Hamilton.— 
And plans to operate in the Southwest.— Ohio is admitted.— Congress 
abolishes the foreign slave trade.— And authorizes the coast survey.— 
Fulton puts a steamboat on the Hudson.—AA^ebster writes his spelling- 
book and dictionary.— Results of a prayer-meeting under a haystack. 

— Sketch of Jefferson’s official manners. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Sketch of Madison.— Harrison goes against Tecumseh.— War is 
declared with England.— The Federalists oppose the war.— Perry 
wins an important victory on Lake Erie.—Jackson quiets the Creeks. 

— The British take and burn AYashington.— Jackson wins at New 
Orleans.— And the war ends without political results.— Finances 
greatly deranged.— Another National Bank is chartered.— Louisiana 




294 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


and Indiana are admitted.—Rate of immigration noted.—Great men 
come forward.—Early history of power manufacturing.— Sketch 
of the American Bible Society.—Savings banks originate.—The 
Colonization Society formed. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Sketch of Monroe.—Jackson raids the Seniinoles.—And Florida 
IS purchased.— Calhoun becomes the originator of protective tarifts.— 
Sketch of subsequent legislation respecting tariffs.—The country 
takes the fever for internal improvements.—The Erie Canal is dug — 
And the National Road is constructed.-The first steamer crosses to 
Liverpool.- Five new states are admitted.-Which brings on a great 
debate.—But the country is quieted by the Missouri Compromise.— 
Monroe declares his “ doctrine.”-The first school for deaf mutes 
— Lafayette revisits America.—Sketch of changes in western life. 


VIII. 


Skelch of J. Q. Adams, beveral Indian tribes are removed._ 

New a^gitation of the tariff question.-The country is excited about 
Free Masonry.-Tlie liistory of railroads outlined.-Adams and 
Jefferson both die on tiie semi-centennial day.-Tiie Tract Society is 
tamed in New York.-And is followed by the Peace Society- 
Novelties in domestic life.-Adams lias a quiet presidency.-The 
next President chosen from the West. 


CHAPTER IX. 

Sketch of Jackson.—He displaces seven hundred officials- 
Which creates a sensation.- He forbids the National Bank -Which 
creates another.-The South talks against protection.-Hayne and 
Webster have a debate.-And Jackson nips niillification-He 
removes the government deposits.-The Seminole war drags tliroiigl, 
seven years.-The slavery agitation among tlie people.—Anti-slavery 
newspapers.—Nat. Turner makes an insurrection.—The fifth census 
Aiyansas and Miciiigan are admitted.-The cliolera visits the 
country.-The first asylum for tlie blind.-Reaping and mowing 
machmes come into use. ^ 

CHAPTER X. 

Sketch of Van Buren.—The panic breaks out.—And is somewhat 
relieved by the Sub-Treasury scheme.-The sixth census - The 

ion".?The fa outlined.-The advance of educa- 

The famous haid cider campaign comes on. 



REVIEW. 


295 


CHAPTER XI. 

Harrison dies after a month’s service.— Sketch of Tyler.— He 
refuses to re-charter the National Bank.—Which causes a storm 
of abuse.— England finally abandons her right of search.— An 
excitement arises against the Mormons,— The annexation of Texas 
becomes the great question.— Sketch of postal affairs.— Morse con¬ 
ceives a great idea.— And labors for years upon it.— Is surprised by 
an appropriation.— And constructs the first telegraph.— Goodyear 
vulcanizes rubber.— The antarctic continent is discovered.— The 
Frecsoilers declare themselves at the election. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Sketch of Polk.— Northern boundary is fixed at 49°. — The Mexi¬ 
can war begins at Palo Alto.— Monterey is taken.— And victory won 
at Buena Vista.— Fremont takes California.— Vera Cruz is taken.— 
Scott captures Mexico.— Which ends the war.— Gold is discovered in 
California.— And the world takes a fever.— Howe makes a sewing 
machine.— But struggles through difficulties to success — Sketch of 
subsequent improvements.— An asylum for idiots is set up at Boston. 

— Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin are admitted as States.— David Wilmot 
makes a proviso. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Sketch of Taylor.— Agitation about the admission of California. 

— The Omnibus Bill becomes a law.— But only after long and angry 
debate.— Taylor die§.— The seventh census.— Much interest is taken 
in Arctic exploration.— The U. G. R. R. takes passengers to Canada. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Sketch of Pierce.— Arizona acquired by purchase.— A world’s 
fair is opened at New York.— Commercial intercourse with Japan.— 
History of the Pacific railroad outlined.— Douglas introduces the 
Kansas-Nebraska Bill.—Which brings war upon “ bleeding Kansas.” 

— Sumner is beaten in the Senate chamber.— The American party 
is organized. 

CHAPTER XV. 

Sketch of Buchanan.— He sends an army to quiet the Mormons. 

— The story of the Atlantic cable outlined.— Sketch of the petroleum 
excitement.— The Supreme Court decides the Dred Scott case.— 
John Brown makes his raid.— The eighth census.— The Democratic 
party is split by slavery.— And it is beaten at the election.— Then 
talk of secession is heard.— And the work begins in South Carolina. 

— Soon the Confederate States are organized.— And the country is 
covered with gloom. 




296 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


CHAPTER XYI. 


Lincoln makes his inaugural.—The Rebellion begins at Fort 
Sumter.—The causes are reviewed.— The country springs to arms — 
McClellan wins victories in West Virginia.—The army is panic- 
stricken at Bull Run.—The Southern forts are blockaded.— England 
and France declare the South a belligerent power.— The Trent affair 
nearly causes a foreign war.—McClellan fights at Fair Oaks.—And 
seven days in the Peninsula.— Lee makes his first invasion of the 
North.—And is obliged to retreat from Antietam.—Burnside loses at 
Fredericksburg.—Grant wins at Forts Henry and Donelson—And 
gets a victory at Shiloh.—The invasion of Kentucky.—The Monitor 
disables the Merrimac.-Lincoln issues the proclamation of emanci- 
paHon.-Colored troops are enlisted.—Hooker is dreadfully beatenl 
at Chancellorsville.—Lee makes the second invasion of the North — 
And Meade wms a great but dearly fought victory at Gettysburcr.'J 
Grant takes Vicksburg.- Rosecrans is badly beaten at ChickamauR-a 4 

— But his army afterward prevails at Chatanooga.-A reaction of| 
opinion sets in.-And a draft is ordered.—The battle rages at the^' 

ilderness.- Lee wins victories at Cold Harbor and Spottsylvania - ; 
Grant besieges Petersburg.-Early makes a third invasion of the 
Korth.-Sherman marches to the sea.-Richmond is evacuated- 
And Lee surrenders.-Johnston follows his example.-Tlie war ends. 

— Assassination ot the President.—Some statistics of the war.—The 
Natmnal debt.—The military features of the war.—The Sanitary and 
Christian commissions.-Two new states are admitted.-History of 
government land sales.— Provisions of the Homestead law. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

Johnson becomes President.- He issues a proclamation of am 
nesty.—And becomes involved in a quarrel with Congress.-He is 
impeached.—And acquitted.—Napoleon interferes in Mexico.—The 
Atlantic Cable is made a permanent success.—Alaska is purchased 

form.-Treaties with Germany 

CHAPTER XVITI. 

The Fifteentli AraeiKlmeiU is .-atilied.-The ninth census-The 
present ratio of representation in Congress—The Alabama claims 
aie peaceably acljusted— Chicago burns. - Ami Boston— The Credit 
Mobiher mvestigation.-Jay Cooke & Co. fail.-And a money panic 

f^r^’p of its ilistingiiished men.—Sketch 

of the Patrons of IIushaiKlry.-And the Sovereigns of Industry- 
Sketch of the Signal Service Bureau—Grant adopts a new Iiidhu, 



CONTEMPORART EVENTS. 


297 


policy.—Congress passes the Specie Resuniptiou Act.—The nation 
celebrates its birthday.-Trouble in the South continues.—The 
country is in doubt about the election.- But tinally inaugurates 
Hayes and Wheeler. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Sketch of Hayes.— The removal of the troops.—Hayes tries civil 
service reform.— The country is astonished at the railroad riots.— 
Silver is remonetized.— The center of territory and i)opulation.— 
Agriculture. — The press. — Libraries. — Education. — Literature.— 
Art.—Material progress.— Religion.— Predictions of foreign states¬ 
men in the light of after time,— Future issues.— The duty of the 
present. 

TABLE OF CONTEMPORARY EVENTS IN 
EUROPEAN HISTORY. 

177G —1878. 

This has been the peHod of progress. It has been 
the era of politics and great popular ideas. The actors were 
nations, not men. The responsibility of rulers, the right of 
popular suffrage, the natural equality and fraternity of men, 
the progressive character of society, the true value of 
human life and the human soul, the sacred freedom of con¬ 
science, the right of free speech and thought,— these were 
the ideas that, springing into action, shajied the achieve¬ 
ments of the age. Resisting these tendencies in which the 
public conscience was asserting itself, Europe encountered 
the storms of revolt, and retreated before the advancing 
power of the people. Accepting them, America went 
steadily onward in the career of nationality and progress. 

A strong tendency of the age has been toward central¬ 
ization of power. The century has witnessed the absorption 
of pigmy kingdoms by giant monarchies, the consolidation 
of small and hostile states into great and coherent empires. 
It has been seen that philanthropy is more than patriotism, 
and humanity more than nationality. 

Government has ceased to be the arbitrary domination 
of a few, and has become, more than ever before, the 
expression of the popular will. Political ideas which had 
only an uncertain and traditionary existence, have been 
13* 





298 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


embodied in settled constitutions and embalmed in written 
forms of government. 

But the triumphs of this intellectual and progressive 
age have not been confined to politics or government. 
They have also been in industry and thought. All eyes 
have been attracted by these successive achievements. 
Commerce has grown from the uncertain employment of a 
few to an overshadowing interest of the state. Mechanic 
ai t has quadrupled the wealth-producing power of the race, 
and the wildest dreams of magic have been equaled by thj 
realizations of inventive genius. Science and literature 
have kept even pace with art. They have left no field 
unexplored, and have doubled the sum of human knowl¬ 
edge. Religious zeal has awakened for the conquest of the 
world. It is the age of missions and missionary labor. The 
Bible has gone into hundreds of languages, and been 
printed by the millions of copies. 

In America the period opened witli the utterance of 
Jefferson, that “governments derive their just powers from 
the consent of Ae governed.” It closed with the sublime 
sentiment of Lincoln, “government of the people, by the 
people, and for the people.” It has shown how grand are 
the possibilities of the American republic,—that it can 
cope with gigantic evils; that its tendency is toward peace 
and good will, while it is strong to maintain itself against 
rebellion, tumult, and war. It has proved that there is a 
power stronger than armies-the public opinion of an 
enlightened people. “The Great Century ” has presented 
more iiroblems and achieved more solutions than any other 
in the long roll of time. 


1778. 

1782. 


Captain Cook discovered the Sandwich Islands. 

The rotary steam engine invented in England by 
att. 

1785. The power-loom invented by Arkwrio:ht. 

I'TQQ English settled Australia. 

The opening of the French Revolution. 


1788. 

1789. 





CONTEMPORARY EVENTS. 


299 


1793. Reign of Terror in France. Execution of Louis XVI 
and Marie Antoinette. 

1795. Impeachment of Warren Hastings, Governor-General 
of India. 

1798. Vaccination discovered in England by Dr. Jenner. 

Galvanism discovered at Bologna by Galvani. 
Lithography invented at Munich by Senefelder. 
1800. Parliamentary union of Great Britain and Ireland 
1804. British and Foreign Bible Society organized. 

1807. Abolition ol the slave-trade throughout British 
dominions. 

1815. Battle of Waterloo resulted in the total and final 

overthrow of Napoleon. 

1816. Safety-lamp invented in England by Sir Humphrey 

Davy. 

1821. Independence of Mexico. 

1824. Macadamizing the streets of London commenced by 
Mac Adam. 

1830. A year of revolutions — in Belgium, Germany, Poland, 
and France. 

1832. Opening of the Manchester & Liverpool Railway. 

1833. Slavery abolished throughout British dominions. 
1839. Daguerre invented the photographic process. 

1845. Sir John Franklin sailed on an arctic expedition, 
from which he never returned. 

1847. Famine in Ireland. 

1851. Great Exhibition in London. 

1856. End of the Crimean war. 

1857. Sepoy rebellion in India against the English. 

1867. Constitution of the North German Confederation 
adopted by the Prussian Chamber of Deputies. 

1871. Victor Emanuel made Rome the capital of Italy. 

End of the temporal power of the Pope. 

1872. Franco - Prussian war. Overthrow of the French 

empire and the establishment of a republic. 

1878. War between Russia and Turkey, ends with the 
virtual overthrow of the Turkish empire in Europe. 




300 


THE MODEL HISTORY, 


HISTORICAL RECREATIONS. 

1. Who first suggested the idea that the world is a sphere? 

2. Who first suggested a westward voyage to Asia? 

3. How long was Columbus in seeking aid? 

4. How large was the settlement of Jamestown ? 

5. What was the first regular industry in the country? 

6. Name two strange delusions in colonial history. 

7. What strange idea hindered the settlement of America? 

8. Name two things that caused its settlement. 

9. Recount some of the outrages against the Indians. 

10. Where is the center of our population and our territory? 

11. Who first “went West?” 

12. In what battle did Washington bitterly rebuke the 

general and rally the army to victory? 

13. What sieges can you mention? 

14. Mention the points of contrast between Washington 

and Jefferson. 

15. By whom and on what occasion were the words used: 

“Millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute?” 

16. Name some famous retreats in our history. 

17. Mention a great achievement of a lazy farmer. 

18. Who first proposed a union of all the colonies? 

19. Who was the first American editor? 

20. What boy wrote the first standard American poetry? 

21. Which cause of the Revolution do you think the most 

important? 

22. Name the wars in our history in their order. 

23. Whmh of these do you think were justifiable? 

24. Which of diem was without political results? 

25. In which did the Americans win every battle? 

26. How did the French and English populations compare 

in the French and Indian war? 

27. Which wars do you think might have been avoided? 

28. In which did the cost amount to more than the victory 

was worth ? 



HISTORICAL RECREATIONS. 


301 


29. Name the events in our history that seem to you 

providential. 

30. What commander died at the moment of victory? 

31. What territory have the United States acquired by 

purchase? By annexation? By conquest? 

32. \Yhat six Vice-Presidents were afterward elected 

Presidents? 

33. What six Secretaries of State afterward became 

Presidents? 

34. Who is the only ex-President now living? 

35. Which was the oldest and which the youngest at the 

time of death? 

36. What has been the average per cent, of increase in 

population during each ten years since the first 
census? How long does it take the country to 
double its population? 

37. At that rate, what will be the population in the year 

1900? The year 1976 ? 

38. What tea-party became historical ? 

39. Which is the longer, the Pacific Railroad or the 

Atlantic cable? 

40. Name the great American inventors. 

41. Who, in a frail canoe, on a stormy night, visited an 

Indian wigwam, at the risk of his life, to save those 
of his enemies? 

42. What Presidents died in office? 

43. Who was called the Colossus of the American 

Congress? 

44. Who was called the “Old Man Eloquent?” 

45. Who was called the “Apostle of Peace?” 

46. Who was called the “Great Pacificator?” 

47. Who was called “Old Rough and Ready?” 

48. Who was the Bachelor President? 

49. What father and son were Presidents? 

50. What three ex-Presidents died on the Fourth of July? 

51. Whose dying words were, “Do n’t give up the ship?” 

52. How did the President’s message originate? 



302 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


53. Who was called the “American Fabius?” 

54. Who was “Old Hickory?” 

55. What was the “hard-cider campaign?” 

56. hat important society began in a haystack? 

o7. In whose administration was the largest number of 
states admitted? 

58. In which were none admitted? 

59. What pneral arose from a sick-bed to lead his army 

to victory? 

60. How many years since Indepencence has the country 

been involved in war? 

61. Who drafted the Declaration of Independence? 

62. Who drafted the Constitution? 

63. What was Lafayette’s name? 

64. Name ten labors and achievements of Franklin. 

65. How many Presidents were Virginians? 

66. Name the states that have furnished Presidents. 

67. What battle was fought after peace was made?' 

68. Who used and what was meant by the words, “To the 

victors belong the spoils?” 

69. What celebrated foreigners have fought in the armies 

of the United States? 

70. What President went to Washington secretly and at 

night? 

71. \Yho was called the “Father of American Law?” 

72. What President had not voted in his life? 

73. What rendered Valley Forge memorable? 

74. What colony was founded as a home for the poor? 

. n which colony was the greatest degree of religious 
toleration practiced ? 

76. In which was the least degree? 

77. How many invasions of the North did Lee’s army 

make? 

78. What President was impeached? 

79. Which presidency do you think was the most unfor- 

tunate for the country? 

80. On what occasion were“l33 ballots taken in Congress? 



HISTOllWAL RECREATIONS 


303 


81. Name the men who commanded the army of the 

Potomac. 

82. Give one example of treason, one of assassination, and 

one of personal assault. 

83. How many attempts were made to lay the Atlantic 

cable? 

84. Give a noted example of arbitration. 

85. How was the culture of rice introduced ? Cotton? 

86. State some strange facts about the food, houses, and 

domestic life of the people. 

87. Who was the author of “ squatter sovereignty,” and 

what did it mean? 

88. What Presidents were not elected by the people? 

89. When and for what reasons were the various consti¬ 

tutional amendments made? 

90. Which of our Presidents have been military men? 

91. How many years did the Federalists control the gov¬ 

ernment? The Republicans (in the old sense)? 
The Democrats? The Whigs? The Republicans 
(in the present sense)? 

92. Name some important characters among the Indians. 

93. Name some unsuccessful candidates for the presidency. 

94. What general was shot in the night by his own men? 

95. Who took a midnight ride to alarm the country? 

96. What English statesman iavored America in the 

Revolution? 

97. How many times since Independence, and on what 

occasions, has Congress fled for safety? 

98. What battle was witnessed from the house-tops? 

99. Mention the greatest slaughter, considering the length 

of time, to be found in our history. 

100. What questions are likely to enter into future politics? 




PEONOUNCmG VOCABULARY 

OF PROPER NAMES. 


Abelard, ab'-e-lard. 
Agassiz, ag'-a-see. 

Algiers, al-jeerz'. 
Algonquin, al-zh5n-keen'. 
Allston, awl'-ston. 

Amalfi, ah-mal'-fee. 
Angelo, an'-ja-lo. 

Andre, an'-dnl. 
xAntietam, an-tee'-tam. 
Antoinette, an-tO-net'. 
Aretino, a-ra-tee'-no. 
Armada, ahr-mah'-da. 

Ashe, ash. 

Augsburg, ougs'-boorg. 

Balboa, bahl-bo'-a. 
Beauregard, bo'-reh-gard. 
Behemoth, be'-he-muth. 
Behring, beer'-ing. 

Birney, bur'-ne. 

Bologna, bo-lon'-ya. 

Buel, ba'-el. 

Buena Vista, bwH'-na vis'-ta. 
Burgogne, bur-goin'. 

Burke, burk. 

Burleigh, bur'-ll. 

Burroughs, bur'-rOz. 

Cabot, kab'-5t. 

Cabrillo, ka-brel'-lo. 


I Cairo, ka'-r6. 

Calhoun, kal-hoon'. 
Carleton, kahrl'-tun. 

Cartier, kar-te-a'. 

Castile, kas-teel'. 
Champlain, sham-plane'. 
Charta, kar'-tS. 

Chattanooga, chat-an-o6-ga. 
Chickamauga, chick-a-maw'- 
ga. 

Colfax, kol'-fax. 

Copernicus, ko-per'-nl-kus. 
Corneille, kor-nal'. 
Cornwallis, korn-wol'-lis. 
Cortez, kOr-tes'. 

Credit Mobilier, cra'-di-m6- 
bll-i-ar. 


Daguerre, da-ger'. 

De Gama, da-gah'-ma. 
Degrand, de-grand'. 
De Kalb, du kahlb'. 
De Monts, du-mong'. 
De Soto, da so'-to. 
Descartes, da-kart'. 
Diaz, dee'-az. 

Douglas, dug'-las. 
Dubuque, du-book'. 

Du Quesne, du-kan'. 
Duyckinck, di'-kink. 


} 








PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY. 


305 


Egyptian, e-gipt'-shun. 
Erickson, er'-ik-sun. 

Evans. Iv'-anz. 

Ewing, yoo'-ing. 

Fabius, fa'-bi-us. 

Fenelon, fen'-eh-l5n. 
Freneau, fre-no'. . 
Frobisher, fr6b'-ish-er. 

Galena, ga-lee'-naw. 
Galileo, gal-i-lee'-o. 

Genet, jeh-net'. 

Genoese, jen-o-eez'. 

Ghent, gent. 

Gilbert, zhel-bair'. 
Gouverrieur, goov-er-noor'. 
Grinnell, grin-nell'. 
Guericke, ga'-rik-keh. 
Guido, gwee'-do. 
Gutenberg, goo'-ten-berg. 
Guy, ghi. 

Habeas, hab'-e-as. 

Hakluyt, hak'-loot. 
Hatteras, hat'-e-ras. 

Hayne, liain. 

Hennepin, hen'-ne-pin. 
Hiawatha, hee-a-wa'-tha. 
Hispaniola, hiss-pan-i-o'-la. 
Holbrook, hol'-brook. 
Horatio, ho-ra'-shO. 
Hosmer, boss'-rner. 
Hugenots, hu'-ge-nots. 

Ignatius, Ig-na'-she-us. 
Iroquois, Ir-o-kuah'. 

Juarez, hoo-a'-res. 


Kosciusko, kbs-sl-iis'-ko. 
Kaskaskia, kas-kas'-ki-a. 
Kearney, kar'-nl. 

Lafayette, la-fa-et'. 
Leibnitz, llb'-nits. 

Loyola, loi-o'-la. 

Magellan, ma-jel'-lan. 
Mandeville, man'-de-vil. 
Manhattan, man-hat'-tan. 
Maximilian, max-I-mil'-yan. 
Mazarin, maz-5-reen'. 
Melancthon, me-lank'-th6n. 
Mesilla, mes-ll'-la. 

Meyer, mi'-er. 

Milan, mil'-an. 

Montcalm, mSnt-kahm'. 
Machael, mi'-kel. 

Monterey, mon-ta-ra'. 
Montesquieu, m5n-tes-ku'. 
Motier, mo-ti-a'. 

Munich, mil'-nik. 

Nantes, nants. 

Nauvoo, naw-voo'. 

Norfolk, n6r'-f5k. 

Nueces, nwa'-ses. 

Oglethorpe, (3'-gel-th6rj). 
Orleans, or'-le-anz. 

Osceola, 5s-se-5'-la. 

Otis, O'-tis. 

Palo Alto, pah'-lo al'-to. 
Panama, pan-a-mah'. 
Patroons, pa-troonz'. 
Plumer, plu'-mer. 




306 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


Plymouth, plim'-uth. 

Polish, pOl'-ish. 

Ponce de Leon, pOn'-tha da 
la-On'. 

Prairie du Chien, pra'-ri do 
sheen. 

Pulaski, pu-las'-kee. 

Quebec, kwe-beck'. 

Racine, ras-seen'. 

Raleigh, raw'-li. 

Revere, re-veer'. 

Richelieu, reesh-eh-lu'. 
Rochambeau, ro-shon-bo'. 
Rosecrans, rose'-e-krahns. 

San Diego, san de-a'-go. 

Santa Fe, saii'-ta fa. 
Schuylkill, skool'-kil. 
Schuyler, ski'-ler. 

Scotia, sko'-she. 

Seward, su'-ard. 

Seymour, see'-mQr. 

Shirley, shur'-b“. 

Slidell, sll-del'. 

Steuben, stQ'-ben. 


Steinheil, stin'-hil. 

St. Augustine, sent aw'-gus- 
teen. 

Stuyvesant, sti'-ve-sant. 
Squier, skwir. 

Taney, taw'-nl. 

Tecumseh, te-cum'-seh. 
Toscanelli, t6s-ka-nel'-lee. 
Thanatopsis, than-a-t5p'-sis. 
Trevethick, trev'-i-thick. 

Ulysses, u-liss'-eez. 

Van Eyck, van-ik'. 
Vasconselos, vas-k5n-sel'-l5s. 
Venango, ve-nang'-go. 
Venice, ven'-iss. 

Vera Cruz, va'-rah kroos. 
Verrazzani, ver-rat-tsah'-ne. 
Vespucci, ves-poot'-she. 

Worcester, woos'-ter. 
Whitefield, whit'-feeld. 
Willamette, wil-lah'-met. 

Zeisberger, zls'-berg-er. 
Zenger, zeng'-er. 







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309 


III-ACQUISITIONS OF TEEEITORY. 


















































tub model history. 


310 



aaa^ 












































































A DECLARATIOJi BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OP THE UNITED STATES OP 
America, in Congress assembled, July 4, 1776. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to 
dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, 
among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of 
nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind 
requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident—that all men are created equal; that they 
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these 
are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, govern¬ 
ments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the 
governed; that, w henever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, 
it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government, 
laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as 
to them shall seem most likely to aifect their safety and happiness. Prudence, 
indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for 
light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience has shown that mankind 
are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by 
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of 
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to 
reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off 
such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. 

Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the 
necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The 
history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and 
usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny 
over these states. To prove this let facts be submitted to a candid world: 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the 
public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing impor¬ 
tance, unless suspended in their operation until his assent should be obtained; and, 
when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. 

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of 
people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the 
Legislature—a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and 
distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing 
them into compliance with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing with manly firm¬ 
ness his invasions on the rights of the people. 

He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to be 
elected, whereby the legislative power-s, incapable of annihilation, have returned 
to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining, in the meantime, 
exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without and convulsions within. 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose 
obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass others to 
encourage their migration hither and raising the conditions of new appropriations 
of lands. 


311 






312 


the model history. 


>■'* assent,0 lawsfor 

harass our^ropTeaXM'ouureirsuh^^^^^^^^ “"' ''“'‘®‘' officers to 

ou.'Le^statur'e!"’"”'' "’ '‘“■'""■S without the consent of 

^oHe^hasaffecteatoreucIer the mintary inaepenclent and superior to the Cvl, 

stimLtisruuSirtiLscd";!" “*‘<>««^on. 

tended legislation: ^ ^ Ins assent to their acts of pre- 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: 
thcj Should cm"fm?tm^lfe‘^^^^^ “"^ders which 

Foi depnving us, in many cases, of the benefits of friai n,- ,• 

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretendedVff’ 

For aboiishing the free system of otfeuces: 

lishing therein an arbitrary government 

render it at once an example and fit instrument boundaries, so as to 

rule into these colonies: * ^ introducing the same absolute 

fuudamentany the’^powereot mirgovernn^^^^^ most valuable laws, and altering 

pow:r\XSCL°;uan?aS^ .uvested wl.h 

wa?„g“SuT'''™“"“ O' his protect,on, and 

thelrvt^for S,l”e” our towus, and destroyed 

He is, at this time, transporting large armies of f«T-sa- 
the works of death, desolation, ai!d t> ranny alre id v mercenaries to complete 
cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the to i circumstances of 

unworthy the head of a civilizL nation barbarous ages, and totally 

He has constrained our fellow-citizens tnten 
arms against their country, to become the evee^r'^^ on the high seas,tobear 

brethren, or to fan themselves by their hand^ t^mir friends and 

Hg iidfS GxcitGd doinGstic insurrppfi/^no o* 

on the inhabitants of our frontiers the mercHesTlndendeavored to bring 
of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of an ? ^vhose known rule 

In every stage of these oppressions wp in ^ conditions. 

humble terms; our repeated petitionsVave bein redress in the most 

A prince whose character is thus marked bv Pvpr ! ! ^ ^'cpcnted injury, 

is unfit to be the ruler of a free people “««"e a tyrant 

.herfrt:;:e’'r„re:!?i::;“r.rr‘re VVeb„vewar„cd 

warrantable jurisdiction over us. We bave rcn 1 2d tb '"f 
Of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to circumstances 
and magnanimity, and we have coniured them iw ^ ^ "‘'^tive justice 

to disavow these usurpations which would 

and correspondence. They too have been dP fT*^^ ^ interrupt our connections 
sulnlty, we must, theretirraco^scrif^be ° 

separation. and hold them, as we^iold the rest ilmounces our 

peace friends. ^ ® mankind—enemies in war, in 

CoZ?esrars22eTarp”“o'tlSs1p™^^^^ ««mra. 

Of our intentions, do. li the name aM bv ,2 ! "o’'"' «><* recitude 

bolouies. solemnly publish and declare that these Sd°ColirLr“and °of S 





DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 


313 


ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance 
to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state 
of Great Britain Is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and inde¬ 
pendent states, they have full pow’er to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, 
establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states 
may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on 
the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, 
our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 

The foregoing declaration was, by order of Congress, engrossed, and signed by 
the following members: John Hancock. 

New Hampshire.—Josinh Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton. 

Massachusetts Bay.—Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, 
Elbridge Gerry. 

Rhode island.—Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery. 

Connecticut.—Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, 
Oliver Wolcott. 

New Fork.—William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis 
Morris. 

iVeoo Jersey.—Richard Stockton John Witherspoon, Francis Hopklnson, 
John Hart, Abraham Clark. 

Pennsylvania .— Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John 
Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, 
George Ross. 

Delaware.— Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas M’Kean. 

Maryla7id.—Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll, 
of Carrollton. 

Virginia.—George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Ben¬ 
jamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter 
Braxton. 

North Carolina.—William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn. 

South Carolino,—Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, 
Jr., Arthur Middleton. 

Georyia.—Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton. 


*>t 




CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 


[Went into operation on the first Wednesday in March. 1789.] 

PREAMBLE. 

establish justicef^ns^ure'Lmest^ tranmiiiiitT^^* ^ Perfect union 

promote the general welfare and secu 7 -P thf?! Provide for the common defense 
our posterity do “^erty to ourselves am 

America. Constitution for the United States o 

ARTICLE I, 

OP THE LEGISLATIVE POWER. 

OP THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. 

every second year by the pSe^orUm^serera^ sLi^ composed of members chosen 
shall have the qualifications rpniii< 5 ifA r / * States, and the electors in each State 
the State Legislature. ^ electors of the most numerous branch of 

twentjUve year^^and bee^iTe^T/yearlVcm^ ^ 

not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that StaiA f who shall 

Representatives and direct tSe, .).nn 5 chosen, 

which may be included within this Union ® among the several States 

Which shall be determined by adding to the whX"mr^?‘'numbers, 
those bound to service for a term including 

fifths of all other persons. The actual e’nn I t indians not taxed, three- 
years after the first meeting of the Congress o^toP n 

subsequent term of ten years, in such manner ^th *" every 

number of Representatives shall not exceed one for direct. The 

State shall have at least one Representative- anri thirty thousand, but each 

made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entit ed t ®""“^eration shall be 

eight, Rhode island and Providence Plantatton ^ Massachusetts 

SIX. New Jersey four, Pennsylvania Connecticut five, New York 

“ Wh“i‘vaoaTci'e? ralt"“ “'«> GeoU«i.r«.'''''‘‘“ 

autlioi-Ity thereof shall issue wi lt's^reSon to mi f" 

The House of Representative, vacancies, 

shall have the sole power of impeachmellt^^ speaker and other officers; and 

OP THE SENATE. 

eacrSale, -- 

have one vote. mieof, for six years; and each Senator shall 

they shall‘l\'ct the first election, 
ators Of the first class shall be vacated at the Sen- 

second class at tl,c expiration of the fourth veaiT , ? f > «". »' «>e I 

ration of the sixth year, so that one-S ^ 0 ^; chi ‘ c 

vacancies happen by resignation, or oOilwse Ir nfl “«> ‘t I 

any state, the executlye thereof may make temrf '* ''le Legislature if 

next meeting of the Legislature, which la!?ttahTslTva^''“‘.r ““ 

314 





CONSTITUTION CF THE UNITED STATES. 315 

t 

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty 
years, and been nine years a citizen of tlie United States, and who shail not, when 
elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which lie sliall he chosen, 
i The Vice-President of the United States shall he President of the Senate, hut 
shall have no vote, unless they shall be equally divided. 

The Senate shall choose their other officers, and shall have a President pro tempore, 
in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise tlie office of Presi¬ 
dent of the United States. 

The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for 
that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of tlie United 
States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside; and no person shall be convicted 
without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members jiresent. 

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal 
from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit, 
under the United States; but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and 
subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law. 

MANNElt OP ELECTINO MEMBERS. 

Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and 
Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but 
the Congress may at any time, by law. make or alter such regulations, except as to 
the places of choosing Senators. 

CONGRE.SS TO ASSEMBLE ANNCALLY. 

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall 
be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. 

POWERS. 

Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of tue elections, returns and qualifications 
of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do busi¬ 
ness; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized 
to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such 
penalties, as each house may provide. 

Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for 
disorderly behavioz-, and, with tlie concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member. 

Each house shall keepa joui-nal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish 
the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, requii-e secrecy; and the 
j'eas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the desii-e of 
one-fifth of those present, be entei-ed on the journal. 

Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the 
other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which 
the two houses shall be sitting. 

COMPENSATION, ETC., OP MEMBERS. 

Sec. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall I'ecei ve a compensation for their 
services, to be ascei’tained by law, and paid out of the Ti-easury of the United States. 
Tliey shall in all cases, except treason, felony and lireach of the peace, be privileged 
from arrest dui’ing their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in 
going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, 
they shall not be questioned in any other place. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which lie was elected, be 
appointed to any civil office under tbe authority of the United States, which shall 
have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during 
such time; and no pei’son liolding any office under the United States, shall be a 
member of either house duiing his continuance in office. 

MANNER OP PASSING BILL.S, ETC. 

Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representa¬ 
tives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills. 

Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, 
shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the United States; 
if he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his objections, to 






316 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


that house In which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at larcre I 
on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration two 
thirds of that house shall agree to pass the hill, it shall be sent, together with the 
objections to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered and if 
approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in airsuch 
the votes Of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the^am^^^^^^^^ 
persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of eaeh 
respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the Pres Zt witMn ^ ^ 
(Sunday excepted) after it shall have been presented to him tbe i* f. 

law. in like manner as if he had si -ned it unlSs ® ^ 

prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law. ^ adjournment 

Every order, resolution or vote, to whieh tno 
House of Representatives may be necessarv tevr-P of the Senate and 

shall be presented to the President of thj United i T "" ‘Joostion of adjournment),, 
take effect, shall be approved bv him ® and before the same shall 

passed by two-thirds oAhe Senate and House f "PP^-oved by him. shall be re- . 

rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a according to the 

POWER OP CONGRESS. 

Sec. 8. The Congress shall have power to lav and 

and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common dffp* ’ ‘“Posts 

fare of the United States- bur aii d..r,-pe ! common defense and general wel- 

throughout the United States; ’ excises shall be uniform 

To borrow money on the credit of the United States- 

‘‘“'’■'S the several States, and 

ot hanfrC'c1e“lhroug™uUte^ '!!"'*<»> the subject 

dar^tn^^hranrhlTu^*.''""' 

ot»eZ;“r«ates:'’"""'‘“"'‘'’' seenr,ties and current eo.n 

To establish post-offices and post-roads; 

To promote the progress of science and useful arts bv sppni-i»ir«--Fra i- * ^ 
Tove^rfesr respective writings aldTis! 

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court- 

0de’;rsetSnTth';tf„?;.Trsr"‘‘ -- a„d 

cap^turlTon^anrannLeJf^ marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning 

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shnii n 
for a longer term than two years; ^ tmt use shall be 

To provide and maintain a navy; 

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces- 

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union suppress 
insurrections and repel invasions; ’ “’“PP^^css 

To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing 
such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States reserving 
to the States respect! vely the appointment of the officers, and the authority of trlin- 
ing the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress- 

To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over’such district rnnr 

nimrnf square) as may, by cession of particular States, and the accept- 

. of (Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States and to 

tbe^mtVi T purchased by the consent of the S^s ^ture of 

the State in which the same shall be for the ereetion of forfe ^^hisiature of 

dockyards and other needful buildings; and ^‘’senals. 

To make all laws which shall be necessarv anu f 

tlontbe foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by thls'constftuMon''^'^Ju’^ 
governmeut of the United States, or In any department or Sillier thereof 

i 





CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 317 


LIMITATION OP THE POWERS OF CONGRESS. 

Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now 
existing sliall think proper to admit, shall not l)e prohibited by the Congress prior 
to tlie year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed 
on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person. 

The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in 
cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. 

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 

No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census 
or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. 

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. 

No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the 
ports of one State over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one 
State, be obliged to enter, clear or pay duties in another. 

No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropria¬ 
tions made bylaw; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expendi¬ 
tures of all public money shall be published from time to time. 

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no person holding 
any office of profit or trust under them shall, without the consent of the Congress, 
accept of any present, emolument, office or title, of any kind whatever, from any 
king, prince or foreign State. 


LIMITATION OP THE POWERS OP THE INDIVIDUAL STATES. 

, %Sec. 10. No State Shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation; grant 
letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make any thing 
I but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, 

^ ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts or grant any title of 

j nobility. 

I No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or duties on 
i imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its 

inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any State on 
imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all 
such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress. 

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep 
troops, or ships of war, in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with 
another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, 
or in such imminent danger as will not admit of deiay. 

ARTICLE II. 


EXECUTIVE POWER. 

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United 
States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and 
together with the Vice-President, chosen for the same term, be eiected as foilows: 

manner op electing. 

Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, 
a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to 
which the State may be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Representative, 
or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be 

appointed an elector. , 

(The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for tvi o pei - 
sons of whom one at least shall not bean inhabitant of the same State as them¬ 
selves. And they shall make a list of all the persons voted for. and of the "uinber 
of votes for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the 
seatof the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. 
The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Repre¬ 
sentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The per¬ 
son having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be 
a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if there be more than 
one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the House of 







318 


the model HISrOllY. 


iH^iUlP 

SSSES'tSSSS 

TIME OP CHOOSING ELECTORS. 

Wh™h S?eTsha “gtfttSr'rotev o" 

United States. ' ’ ‘ throughout the 

WHO ELIGIBLE. 

";„sro;rc“irir^^ f ““ '"^ 

neither shall any person be elijrible to fiiai- f ! ^ President; 

a.e „n,.„.„ve ‘ ea..„nr.r:Lr.r‘e^fa ;elL“r 

WHE>, THE PRES.DE^T-a POWER PETOEVES OH THE V.CE-PRES.DEHT, 

inability^odiscVargeTll^ powe^rnrdSelorthfsV T o'* 

OH .l,e Vlce-Presme„t, aoJ tlw cllgris ^ ^ 

removal, death, resignation or inabilitv bnib Provide for the case of 

declaring what officer shall then act asVresIde.it'Ld luclT oIb'c'''’ 

dlngly uhtl. the dlsahillty he removed, or a Presme?;t1,?^^^ 

PRESIDENT’S COMPENSATION. 

Which shllilmTlf he n.crtied nn',;rs‘r ,'7' “ compensation 

Shan have been elected, anlirstnlmt r rv t 

ument from the United States, or any of them. ’* 

OATH. 

amrinrofir ■“rLiiioirr ".r IS '.'iirr » 

office of President of the United States and wiii\ ^ faithfully execute the 

protect and defend the Co.ist'umrSVrpmLytl^^^^^^ 

POAVERS AND DUTIES. 

Sec. 2. The President shall be Commander-in Pbipf/^r pn 
the United States, and of the militia of the several States Av)fp!f^ 
service of the United States- he mav rennivA ''^^en ca led into the actual 

pal Officer In each of the execl^rdeX L ts T""”"’ "' ■‘'''■’C'- 

duties Of tlieir respective offices and he shall i ’ subject relating to the 

par,ions for offences against the nm e V and 

He Shall have power hy an^TwdtlX 7, ““T ‘“I'caclnnent. 

treaties. i>rovlded two-thirds of the Senators" H'c Senate, to make 

nate, and hyand with Ihe aTvme a e 1"?'"' '>« "'‘•■''I "o'nl- 

dors, otlier inihllc ministers and consnls"77 "7 “PPolnt anibassa- 

omcers Of ihe United «ates wilse n. n ’ *7°' SnpremeConrt. and all other 
for, and which shall he esta'hlisiied liv^a “c*!''C‘‘ci" PHierwise provided 

appointment Of such inferTol officts^-lr;^^ law vest the 

Th?P I?' oVdepanmentl ’’ 

the recess of the Senate llTygrantTnir^cor vacancies that may happen during 

their next session ’ ' commissions which shall expire at the end o? 

* Altered by the 12th Amendment. See page 322. 







CONSTTTUTTON OF THE UNITED STATES. -319 


Sec. 3. He .shall, from time to time, give to the Congress information of the 
state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall 
judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both 
houses or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect 
to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think 
proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care 
that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall conimission all the ofRcers of the 
United States. 

OFFICEUS REMOVED. 

Sec. 4. The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the United States, 
shall be removeil from office, on impeachment foi’, and conviction of, treason, 
bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III. 

OP THE JUDICIARY. 

Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one 
Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time 
ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and inferior Courts, shall 
hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive for their 
services a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in 
office. 

Sec. 2. (The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising' 
under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which 
shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other 
public ministers and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; 
to controversies to which the United States shall be a party; to controversies 
between two or more States; between a State and citizens of another State; between 
citizens of different States; between citizens of the same State claiming lands under 
grants of different States, and between a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign 
States, citizens or subjects.*) 

JURISDICTION OP supreme COURT. 

In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those 
in whicl> a State shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdic¬ 
tion. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appel¬ 
late jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such 
regulations as the Congress shall make. 

OP TRIALS FOR CRIMES. 

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and 
such trial shall be held in the State where the said crimes shall have been commit¬ 
ted; but when not committed within any State, the trial shall be at such place or 
places as the Congress may by law have directed. 

OF TREASON. 

Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war 
against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. 

No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses 
to tlie same overt act, or on confession in open Court. 

The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no 
attainder Of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during 
the life of the person attainted. 

ARTICLE IV. 

STATE ACTS. 

Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public acts, 
records and judicial proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may, by 
general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings 
shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 

* Altered by the 11th Amendment. See page 322. 




320 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


PRIVILEGES OF CITIZEN’S. 

SEC. 2 The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immnnl 
ties of citizens in the several States. ^ viieges ana immunl- 

A person charged in any State with treason, felony or other crime who shall Ap. 

state having jurisdiction of the crime. removed to the 

runaways to be delivered up 

NEW STATES. 

territorial and other property 

ssssssssaass 

EC. 4. '^^^^ted States shall guarantee to evei’v' siafp in thicj TT.-.i 

SpHcaUof oftreTS^ o'^r'^of JhT'r' invas^n''; "and, oii 

conveued), dgalusSes^loLle^^ Execut.ve ,whe,. the Legislature cau not be , 

ARTICLE V. 
amendments. 

constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of 

States, or by Conventions in three-fourths thPrnnf a. Vi several 

.■atlficatiou may be proposed by Co. “'““o »' 

be „.ade p...or to the year one thouS eIghZmlra'rergT.^ 

ner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth Section of the firsi- “ 

tbathostate, w.thoutl.sco..se„t. Shan bedeprlv;L';« 

ARTICLE VI. 

DEBTS. 

All flebts contracted, and engagements entered into before the mnni-in 

Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under thiu r ^ 
under the Confederation. ‘ Constitution as 

SUPREME LAW OP THE LAND. 

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be in 

suance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be m^l uni; the^ 

OATH.—NO RELIGIOUS TEST. 

sey«:i“4rs';alfr:rrd"r;^^^^^ "■embers or ...e 

States and of the several States shall i.e i otficers, both of the UiiUed 

this constitution; hut nfrel “ion;shall evej be' r?'*’,""> euPPort 
any offlca, or public trust, under ulilted stltes “ “ '» 







CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. '^21 


ARTICLE VII. 

; The ratifications of the Conventions of nine States shali be sufficient for the estab- 
' lishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same. 

[ Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seven- 
' teenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the twelfth. 
In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
President, and Deputy from Virginia. 

Nexv Hampshire—John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. iVassac/utsetfs—Nathaniel 
Gorham, Rufus King. Connecticut—William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman. 
y'e^o Tork—Alexander Hamilton. New Jersep—William Livingston, David Brear- 
ley, William Patterson, Jonathan Dayton. Pennsylrania —Benjamin Franklin, 
Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Jared Ingei- 
soll, James AVilson, Gouverneur Morris. Delaware—Georgo Read, Gunning Bedford, 
Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom. Maryland James M’Henry, 
Daniel of St. Tho. Jenifer, Daniel Carroll. Firainia—John Blair. James Madison, 
Jr. North Carotina —William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson. 
South Carolina-John Rutledge. Chas. Cotesworth Pinckney. Charles Pinckney, 

Pierce Butler. Georgia —William Few, Abraham Baldwin. 

Attest, William Jackson, Secretary. 


I 

i 

j 


AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION. 


[The first ten amendments were proposed by Congress at their first session, in 
1789. The eleventh was proposed in 1794, and the twelfth in 1803.] 

ARTICLE I. 

FREE EXERCISE, OF RELIGION. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit¬ 
ing the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; 
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for 
a redress of grievances. 

ARTICLE II. 


RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. 

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right 
of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

ARTICLE III. 

NO SOLDIER TO BE BILLETED, ETC. 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent 
of the owner; nor in time of war. but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

ARTICLE IV. 

UNREASONABLE SEARCHES PROHIBITED. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, 
against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants 
shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particu¬ 
larly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized, 

ARTICLE V. 


CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime. 

unLs on a presentment or indictment of a Grand jury, except in cases arising in 

the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of wai or 
publL Lnger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be put twice 









822 


THE MODEL HISTORY. 


witness against hlmselfrllor'be Spriv'’eVofTfc''i'b '"t <» » 

article VI. 

mode op trial. 

publictrial. bHn ^hrsTaLlnd d right to a speedy and 

lave been committed, which dfstrict shaU havp^^^ wherein the crime shall 
law, and to be informed of the nature uui * previously ascertained by 

fronted .vith the witnesseslglLst Lin • to be con- 

Witnesses in bis favor, ana to bave tbe -3,starercr:?e7Sr<L'^^^ 

article VII. 

. right op trial by jury 

insults at common law where tiara , . . 

dollars, the right of trial by jury shall brLre^ser twenty 

be otherwise re-examined in any Court of^the UnTte/Sf 

rules of the common law. states than according to the 

article VIII, 

„ . rail.—PIIVES. 

Excessive bail shall not be rennii-eri 

unusual punishments inflicted. ’ excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and 

article IX. j 

rp, . , rights not enumerated. 

deny or disparage LLhmL^reuTLLd byL7iL^^^^^ "®t be construed to 

article X. 

rowers RESERYED. 

by it to the States, are feseiweVLo tbL'LLLtS'^LsLecuL^^^^^ 

article XI. 

rp, . . limitation op judicial power 

Tlie judicial power of the United sintoo i 

suit in iaw or equity eommencea or prosecut« a7,' '» extend to any 

Citizens or another State, or by citizens or "" 

article XII. 

The Plzarf . . RLECTION OP PRESIDENT. 

and Vice-Pi^eskL'n” mm L^wlmm'^LL^ea^ f T"’ President 

State with themselves; they shall nnme ’ • not be an inhabitant of the same 

President, and in distinct baHots the Lev! person voted for as 

sballmake distinct lists of aLl LerLoL votrr^'Vice-President; ami they 
voted for as Vice-President, aLd of th^r President and of all persons 

they shall sign and certify, oand transniR sealed to ^^st 

the United States, directed to the President of n c Government of 

Senate shall, in the presence of the SeLatL Lnd H President of the 

the certificates, and the votes shall thon i ^ House of Representatives, open all 

uLn f. f appointed • amn^LV ' "majority 

then from the persons having the highest numWo majoritj?, 

cli-itelv^i President, the House of three, on the list 

cliatelj by ballot the President. Rut in chon«r ohoose imme- 

“ “ /oTcb‘s.'"ra -f's: 








CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 323 


House of Representatives shall not choose a President, whenever the right of choice 
shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the 
Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other Con¬ 
stitutional disability of the President. 

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President shall he the 
Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors 
appointed; and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers 
on the list, the Senate shall choose*the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose 
shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the 
whole number shall be necessary to a choice. 

But no person Constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be 
eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. 

[Ratified in 1865.] 

ARTICLE XIII. 

Skc. 1. Neither Slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment tor 
crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the 
United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legis¬ 
lation. 

[Ratified in 1868.] 

ARTICLE XIV. 

Sec. 1. All persons horn or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the 
jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they 
reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall aoridge the privileges 
and immunities of citizens of the United States. Nor shall any State deprive any 
person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any 
person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. 

Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according 
to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, 
excluding .Indians not taxed; but whenever the right to vote at any election for 
electors of President and Vice-President, or United States Kepresentatives in 
Congress, executive and judicial officers, or the members of the Legislature there¬ 
of. is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years 
of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except foi pai- 
ticipation in rebellion or other crimes, the basis of representation therein shall be 
reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall oear to the 
whole iimiiber of male citizens twenty-one years of age in that State, 

Sec. .3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, elector of 
President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United 
States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath as a member of 
Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legisla¬ 
ture, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution 
of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the 
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof; but Congress may. by a vote 
of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. 

Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States authorized by law, 
including debts incurred for the payment of pensions and bounties tor service in 
suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned; but neither the 
United States nor any State shall assume to pay any debt or obligation incurred in 
aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim tor the loss 
or emancipation of any slave, hut all such debts, obligations and claims shall he 
illegal and void. 

Sec. 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, 
the provisions of this article. 

[Ratified in 1870.] 

ARTICLE XV. 

Sec. 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or 
abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color or previous 
condition of servitude. 

Sec, 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this Article by appropriate 

legislatiou. 











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